Pubdate: Sun, 27 Mar 2016
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2016 The New York Times Company
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Katherine Cameron
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n162/a06.html

OPIOID USE AND ABUSE

Patients and Doctors Discuss the Management of Drugs That Can Be 
Helpful or Harmful.

To the Editor: Re "A Strong Response to the Opioid Scourge" 
(editorial, March 17):

There are longtime users of low-dose opioids, like me, who never 
require an increase in dose and who find that this medication 
provides quality of life. How? By addressing chronic pain, sleep 
disorders and associated depression.

The alternatives proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause long-term damage to 
body organs and short-term stomach pain. For many of us, spare use of 
a low-dose opioid is the very best alternative.

Unfortunately, voices like mine are not heard often. Why? Because the 
media climate right now is so fiercely anti-opioid that those who 
rely on this drug can feel hesitant to speak out. More reporting 
should be done on the lives saved and enhanced by opioids, in 
addition to the terrible consequences of addiction. Policy should 
reflect a more complete picture of this important medication.

KATHERINE CAMERON

Alameda, Calif.

The writer is a social worker.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom