OXY BAN WRONG ANSWER

Why doesn't Rep. Stephen Lynch propose bringing back Prohibition, too? The
scourge of alcoholism has destroyed many more lives than OxyContin. And
unlike the prescription painkiller, a six-pack of beer or fifth of whiskey
does nothing to ease debilitating physical pain.

While Lynch is on this tear, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, Vicodin and all
manner of morphine and codeine-based painkillers are abused by addicts
looking for a high. Why not ban those medicines, too, leaving chronic pain
sufferers to make do with aspirin, or better yet, leeches?

We shudder to imagine the state of pain management in this country if the
hurdle drug companies had to overcome before bringing a product to market
was "Could this drug be abused?"

That OxyContin is being injected or snorted by drug abusers is no reason to
deprive those suffering from chronic pain a respite from their suffering.
It does call for aggressive awareness, prevention and treatment programs,
or a prison cell when an addiction to harming oneself results in harming
others.

Drug companies like Purdue Pharma are a popular political target these
days, joining the ranks of big tobacco and fast food as a litigator's and
politician's favorite foil. But there's more at stake than depriving
Americans of the right to smoke or enjoy a Big Mac.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are more than 75,000
alcohol-related deaths each year. OxyContin, according to a 2003 estimate,
caused 500 to 1000 deaths. Why not a ban on Budweiser?