WAR ON DRUGS HURTS CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS

Finally an editorial that addresses the cruelty of not treating chronic
pain! Your editorial piece of March 24 regarding the use of marijuana as
medicine was right on target, and cut straight to the chase when it comes to
the failed "war on drugs."

Politicians care only about saving their own skin when they take a stand
against issues such as this. They are afraid they will be labeled as being
"soft on drugs." What they fail to realize is that the esteemed "war on
drugs" is killing all the wrong people namely, the chronically ill.

Many patients with chronic intractable pain suffer needlessly, day in and
day out, due to the ignorance of physicians and politicians. They are, they
claim, afraid of creating a nation of addicts.

However, recent studies have proven that the incidence of addiction in those
who suffer from excruciating chronic pain is less than 1%, while suicide and
physician assisted suicide are on the rise as patients seek to end their
pain the only way they can: by death.

Ohio has the right idea, as it recently passed a law to protect doctors who
treat documented chronic pain with adequate medication and to provide
recourse for patients who do not receive the pain relief needed to make
their lives more bearable.

Physicians in Ohio used to fear being turned in for over-prescribing, but
they now can be turned in to the State Medical Board for not following
minimal standards.

This is a step in the right direction, and I hope the rest of the nation
soon follows suit.

Physicians need to be re-educated according to current research. Politicians
need the same type of education.

Not treating chronic, intractable pain is cruel, inhumane and an invitation
to suicide.

I know the "war on drugs" nearly killed me. I'm proud to be a Tennessean,
but Ohio saved my life.

Sharon Palmer shron@ix.netcom.com 513 Westcrest Drive 37211