SEVERE PAIN TRUTHS

Re: "Families' complaints led to raid on clinic," June 13.

You report that District Attorney Bill Hill said that publicity from the
raid has generated several calls to his office from people complaining that
their family members became dependent on painkillers prescribed by Dr.
Maynard. I want to know how someone who is subject to severe protracted
constant pain could not become "addicted" if the prescribed substance was
effective in relieving the pain.

Recently, I was given a prescription for Tylenol with codeine for agonizing
pain caused by a herniated disk. After a few days, my body healed
sufficiently to stop taking the prescription, however, until the healing
took place, I could very easily describe myself as "addicted" - I couldn't
stop using.

Any number of professional football players couldn't play without
painkillers due to previous injuries. Does taking the albeit prescribed
painkillers so they can practice their profession mean they are addicted?
Both pain and addiction are judgment calls and experience of pain is
subjective. The Texas Department of Public Safety has the mandate and duty
to make such calls, nevertheless, who can say with certainty that they're
always correct?

My daughter died seeking relief from pain. She couldn't find a doctor who
wasn't afraid to prescribe the kind of medication she believed she needed.

Gerald M. Sutliff, Castro Valley, Calif.