Pubdate: Fri, 15 Mar 2002
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/hdinfo/letters.html
Website: http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Ronald Thacker

SEEK OUT ABUSERS INSTEAD OF BANNING MEDICATION

I was glad to see the West Virginia Legislature put aside for further study 
a bill that, if adopted, would have banned oxycodone. Instead of punishing 
people who are in need of this medication, they should pursue those who 
abuse it. If they ban the drug, people who need it will get it from other 
states and then they will be the criminals. There are plenty of laws on the 
books to keep this drug out of the hands of criminals.

I feel that the news media have done this drug an injustice by hyping up 
the stories about its misuse. If the media spent as much TV time and 
newspaper space praising law enforcement for the good job that they do, it 
would be time and space better spent.

If the Legislature wants to investigate a drug that is responsible for 
making millions sick and forcing families into starvation, it should think 
about banning alcohol. And if the Legislature really wants to help, why not 
put a tax on alcoholic beverages to pay for health insurance? The Public 
Employees Insurance Agency is always short of money.

Ronald Thacker

Huntington
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MAP posted-by: Beth