OXYCONTIN BILL HURTS FOLKS IN PAIN

Editor:

Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, introduced SB 617, which
would effectively ban state doctors from writing prescriptions for OxyContin.

Chafin says this has nothing to do with the May primary election. His
opponent is Dr. Diane Shafer. He insists that the FDA make OxyContin a
Schedule 1 drug.

Why doesn't he go after cigarettes? How many people die daily in West
Virginia from this drug? OxyContin, when used properly, is an extremely
effective drug.

The truth is people abuse drugs. They choose between right and wrong.

People with chronic pain and disease need effective drugs. Don't make them
pay because of drug abuse.

We have so many people in Southern West Virginia, like Chafin, trying to
tell doctors how to run their practices.

Kenneth E. McCoy Sr.

Man