Pubdate: Wed, 06 Mar 2002
Source: Charleston Gazette (WV)
Copyright: 2002 Charleston Gazette
Contact:  http://www.wvgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/77
Author: Mary Reynolds
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)

BAN OF PAINKILLER WILL HURT SUFFERERS

Editor:

I would like to say that if Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin's bill 
banning oxycodone passes, many legitimate chronic pain patients, cancer 
patients and others suffering severe pain would be denied proper treatment.

Oxycodone is in other medications besides OxyContin. Tylox, Percocet, 
Percodan and others contain oxycodone. If this bill passes, all of these 
would be banned along with OxyContin.

Some people will abuse anything. Look at alcohol. It has been abused ever 
since it came along. Prohibition did not work.

If all drugs containing oxycodone are banned, this will only drive up the 
street price of these drugs and increase crime.

Why should those who really need this medicine to be able to function have 
to suffer because of drug addicts and ignorance? Chafin, D-Mingo, had 
better hope and pray that he never gets cancer nor suffers chronic 
intractable pain.

Mary Reynolds,
Dunbar
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