LIMBAUGH SHOULD WORK TO FREE JAILED FLORIDIAN

The John Tierney column, "Punishing pain: Victory in the drug war"
(July 21) tellingly recounted the plight of Richard Paey, a
wheelchair-bound, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain victim who is
serving a 25- year sentence in Florida for obtaining prescription
drugs to relieve his pain.

It is surprising, however, that no mention was made of the similar
drug troubles of talk-show star Rush Limbaugh, who feels that he is
the victim of heavy-handed law enforcement abuse because of a
prolonged inquiry into his obtaining of prescription painkillers. I
would hope Mr. Limbaugh would join, and even lead, in a campaign to
free Paey. I would hope that Paey's case would get as much media
coverage as Mr. Limbaugh's has.

The fight against drug abuse should be conducted as a public health
treatment issue, since the law enforcement and punishment approach
has been an abject failure.

Sy Lutto

West Palm Beach