Pubdate: Sun, 07 Jul 2002
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2002 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Norma Sapp

Your Views

LET DOCTORS CONTROL STIMULANTS

TO THE EDITOR:

Regarding "Meth changes citizens to addicts" (feature, June 30): Yes, meth 
does all those terrible things, body sores, lack of sleep, rotting teeth. 
Users are surely destined to an early grave. But the most addictive quality 
of the drug is the profits. For less than $100 you can make over $1,500. 
That's the way it works when something is sold in the black market.

When I first became aware of "speed," which was the term given to any 
stimulant back in the 1970s, it was mostly prescription drugs given by a 
doctor. There were a few people who made a form of methamphetamine but not 
many would touch it because it was much easier and safer to just go to the 
doctor.

Then came the Drug Enforcement Administration. It determined that these 
drugs had a high potential for abuse and started investigating doctors who 
prescribed them. The rest is history. Whenever there's a demand, someone 
will step up to supply it.

Let's give control of stimulants back to the doctors. They can control how 
much you get and keep a check on your health. It's the only way we're going 
to stop the black market and the crime that goes with it.

Norma Sapp,

Norman
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MAP posted-by: Beth