PAINKILLERS MAKE LIFE TOLERABLE FOR THOSE IN CHRONIC MISERY

Rush Limbaugh is not one of my favorite people, even though I agree with
many of his opinions. With the recent revelation about his addiction to
prescription painkillers, he has my sympathy even though he comes across as
"holier than thou" in most of his public appearances.

Our society accepts the use of normally illegal drugs to relieve pain and
suffering for terminal cancer patients. Why should society ban the use of
these drugs in other situations where chronic pain cannot be relieved by
other means? Many times these painkillers can make life worth living again
for someone with severe, chronic pain.

Doctors are generally reluctant to prescribe these painkillers as a
maintenance medication because the patient may become addicted. In fact,
the patient becomes addicted to a tolerable degree of existence and an
improved quality of life. Many non-addictive painkillers just do not
provide the relief necessary for some types of chronic pain. Three of my
friends have committed suicide because they could not find relief from
intense, chronic pain.

I hope a drug rehabilitation program will help Rush, but if his pain has
not been relieved by some other means, he may have to return to drugs to
live a tolerable existence.

Ron Runyan

Pekin