Pubdate: Sat, 22 May 2004
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2004 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368
Author: Joseph Sutphin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

OXYCONTIN FIASCO HAS HURT PATIENTS IN PAIN

I'm a bilateral amputee and experience severe pain much of the time.

I realize that the people involved with the medical profession must protect
themselves.

However, since the fiasco concerning OxyContin and the prosecution of a
certain doctor in Roanoke, it appears that many of those who really need
pain medications must suffer without them so that doctors may protect
themselves, or be treated as a possible junkie for asking for pain relief.

We're faced with the choice of enduring pain or humiliation. Is this fair? I
think not. We should all be judged on an individual basis.

JOSEPH SUTPHIN

CHRISTIANSBURG
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MAP posted-by: Josh