OXYCONTIN EDITORIAL RIGHT TO THE POINT

Your editorial on OxyContin (Sept. 26) was right to the point. People
have every right to whatever medical science can do to alleviate
their pain. Policemen are not doctors of medicine and have no
business restricting the use of the drugs in the doctors' arsenal.

The reason OxyContin has been so successful as a drug of recreation
is that it is an ideal substitute for expensive heroin. If we want to
end the OxyContin wars, we must allow doctors to prescribe heroin
legally for recreational users.

Heroin itself remains the best and cheapest treatment for heroin
addiction and for that reason must be available.

Jos. E. Hopwood
Quantico, Md.