THOSE WHO SUFFER SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MEDICINE

This is regarding the story, "Judge outraged that addict is on
narcotic" on July 30: Dependence on drugs - whether licit or illicit -
does not preclude chronic pain, and those who have both conditions
should not be denied care for either.

Yes, physicians should be held accountable for the appropriateness of
their clinical practices; there are professional associations and
government agencies in every state with the authority and the
knowledge to carry out this function. Meanwhile, Judge Richard
Baumgartner should withhold judgment.

While some physicians do over-prescribe, it is well documented that
under-prescribing of analgesics is the far greater problem. The
judge's expression of outrage will merely intimidate the medical
profession further in responding to their chronic pain patients.

Robert Newman, M.D.

New York City