MAKING IT WORSE

Gov. Jeb Bush's proposal for a prescription-drug database would worsen a
system that already causes more societal damage than it prevents.

Today a doctor may prescribe medication for his patient not to hurt, but is
threatened with revocation of his or her license if he or she prescribes so
much that the patient feels good, and then lets police decide which.

Doctors, already wary of police surveillance, will become even more
restrictive. Their patients will look elsewhere for relief and, if caught,
will pay dearly.

Florida Statute 893.135 mandates a 15-year prison sentence without parole
and a fine of up to $100,000 for fraudulent possession of just (60)
330-milligram pills of Percocet.

Let police work on real crime; doctors, on sickness.

JOHN CHASE, PALM HARBOR