ADS ARE TOO AGGRESSIVE

As the medical director of an inpatient, hospital-based drug-abuse
treatment program in Seattle, I have seen an alarming increase of patients
being admitted because of addiction to OxyContin.

I have seen all of this occurring in the past year.

We are now in the process of detoxing more patients from OxyContin than
from heroin, and the OxyContin cases are about equal the alcohol cases.

It is a difficult process, and many patients are unsuccessful in remaining
drug-free.

The vast majority of these are not chronic pain patients.

It is my opinion that this truly incredible epidemic is attributed to the
very aggressive promotional campaign of the manufacturer of OxyContin to
primary-care physicians who are untrained and unaware of its extremely
addicting potential.

I have to side with the Drug Enforcement Administration on this one (''DEA
goal: Protect the public,'' Opposing View, Controlling drug use debate,
June 13).

Joseph Schuster, M.D.

Seattle, Wash.