OXYCONTIN 'ABUSE'

As one who has had my life restored because of this drug, I was grateful
for the informed letter about Oxycontin from Robert Twillman (5/28).

There has been a great deal of press of late on the "120 deaths" attributed
to the abuse of this drug. While my heart goes out to those who have lost
loved ones to the abuse of this drug, it would be this drug or any other
that comes down the pike.

Where are the stories of the millions who have had their lives handed back
to them because of the benefits of this drug? Do we ban a drug simply
because some abuse it? Then let's get started with banning alcohol,
cigarettes and over the counter drugs, which are the cause of far more
deaths each year than can be attributed to Oxycontin abuse.

Many of us live our lives with chronic pain every day. Let's keep things in
perspective. It's not the drug, it's the abusers who kill themselves. This
drug, like so many others when taken as prescribed, is beneficial, not
detrimental.

Mary Jo Mayer

Kansas City