Pubdate: Thu, 14 Feb 2002
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2002 The Capital Times
Contact:  http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/73
Author: Dawn E. Stucki

STATE MUST HELP END DYING'S PAIN

I wholeheartedly agree with Carol McKay that the DEA needs to stay out of 
the sick rooms of dying patients (letter in Forum, 1-27).

John Ashcroft's threats to penalize doctors who prescribe sufficient pain 
medication to relieve the suffering of terminally ill patients have a 
chilling efect on physician's decisions. Doctors are aware that non-medical 
personnel (DEA agents) do not have sufficient knowledge to judge what is or 
is not sufficient medication to relieve pain.

It is time for Wisconsin to join the many other states that have or are 
considering laws that mandate that sufficient medication be given to 
elininate pain for the dying.

It is also time for the people of Wisconsin to tell the government that we 
have a right to make some decisions for ourselves and to stop being 
intrusive in our private lives.

Dawn E. Stucki, Waunakee
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D