Pubdate: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2016 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.utsandiego.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area. Author: Harry J. Bonnell LIMITING ACCESS TO DRUGS CREATES PROBLEM Regarding "CDC guidelines aim to curb painkiller prescribing" (March 16): Blaming doctors and "Big Pharma" for drug abuse is like blaming auto manufacturers and dealers for speeding drivers. The solution is treating drug abuse. Making prescription opioids harder to get has resulted in increased heroin and fentanyl deaths. Limiting availability simply drives up the price for abusers who commit crimes against us to get the money. Prescription drugs are made under quality control so the dosage is known, illegal drugs not so. Limiting access makes the pain worse for patients, wastes physician time on administrative tasks, and supports drug cartels. The war on drugs has failed just like Prohibition. Restricting production and distribution simply drives the price up and cures nobody. Harry J. Bonnell San Diego - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom