DRUG ABUSE EXAGGERATED

Regarding "Hooks of 'Hillbilly Heroin,' " Oct. 4: The real "drug" problem
in this country is the hundreds of thousands of suffering persons who can't
get adequate pain medication prescribed by their physicians because of
articles like this. Every time such an article appears about drug abuse by
a relatively small number of persons, the problem is exaggerated, the
public reacts with hysteria, and doctors pull back into their shells and
say, I don't need this, I just won't prescribe, or I will underprescribe;
that way I will protect myself and my license from any criticism.

Alex Cowie

Los Angeles