ADMINISTER TO THE PAIN

Christopher Petrella's letter ("No marijuana for sick people," Feb.
24) asks "What is the benefit of this, other than having the sick
escape from reality?"

At the risk of going out on a limb, I would say that is the benefit
that we should all consider when discussing the medical use and
administration of drugs. If we as a society refuse to administer to
the pain and needs of our extremely ill (particularly the terminally
ill), we reduce ourselves to that of the inhumane.

Would Christopher want to endure pain such as that caused by cancer
if the conventional treatments and drugs failed? Would he want his
family to endure this? Would Christopher Petrella change his stance
at his convenience if this were to happen or would he insist that his
wife/mother/child endure extreme pain with no escape because certain
drugs have the stigma of being illegal?

Kenneth Smith
Frederick