Pubdate: Sat, 13 Oct 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Alex Cowie

DRUG ABUSE EXAGGERATED

Regarding "Hooks of 'Hillbilly Heroin,' " Oct. 4: The real "drug" problem 
in this country is the hundreds of thousands of suffering persons who can't 
get adequate pain medication prescribed by their physicians because of 
articles like this. Every time such an article appears about drug abuse by 
a relatively small number of persons, the problem is exaggerated, the 
public reacts with hysteria, and doctors pull back into their shells and 
say, I don't need this, I just won't prescribe, or I will underprescribe; 
that way I will protect myself and my license from any criticism.

Alex Cowie

Los Angeles
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom