Pubdate: Sat, 03 Sep 2016
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Stella Mazzacato
Page: 14
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n589/a03.html

HEROIN FOR PAIN

Re "In praise of heroin" (Dr. Gifford Jones, Aug. 27): I am currently 
fighting my fourth and (unfortunately) final battle with cancer. And, 
believe me, it scares me to think I will be refused heroin when the 
time comes that I need it. And all because some so-called minister of 
health for Ontario has decided, in his wisdom, that doctors can no 
longer prescribe high doses of opioids to terminal cancer patients or 
addicts. Further, the statement by an official that "the vast 
majority of palliative patients will not be impacted by this policy" 
leaves me wondering why he holds this position, when we all know the 
first requirement to being a good doctor is having a heart for 
people. Shame on this unnamed minister of health for Ontario. He 
should be drummed out of office, post haste.

Stella Mazzacato Mississauga

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(Turning a blind eye to drug use by prisoners while denying heroin to 
terminally ill patients for pain makes no sense. This policy needs to 
be reversed)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom