Pubdate: Sun, 20 Nov 2005
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Johnson Newspaper Corp.
Contact: http://www.ogd.com/letter.htm
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Larry Seguin
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/people/james+latimer

DRUG WAR

To The Editor:

The continued intrusions of law enforcement into the domain of health
care. You think Dr. Latimer's case is political? You're right.

The DEA instead of stopping cocaine from Colombia, or heroin from
Afghanistan are now precutting and harassing doctors and intimidating
sick patients. A recent article in the Washington Post (Nov. 4) tells
of the problems arising in the Food and Drug Administration since the
DEA has stepped in. The DEA wants the final say over allowing new
narcotic medications on the market.

Dr. Latimer was forced to surrender his medical license over
'allegations' involving Oxycontin. A brief Internet search on Dr.
William Hurwitz will explain Dr. Latimer's decision. Doctors that try
to fight the DEA lose. They get 25 years in prison. Is the law equal
for everybody?

Let's look at an admitted abuser, used Oxycontin daily. Made $3
million a year while hosting radio while on drugs. In 2002 it is
'alleged' he was 'doctor shopping'. If the drugwar is not political
why has it been three years and Rush Limbaugh still has not been
charged and still makes $3 million a year? My personal opinion: he
made more sense the years he was on drugs.

Acting District Attorney Gary Miles is just a victim of the 'new and
improved drugwar'. Mr. Miles is pure collateral damage to the DEA.
Your concerns should go to Congressman John McHugh.

If Dr. Latimer wanted to be a drug supplier to Northern New York why
only a few patients? He could have had 3,000 dealers working for him!
Dr. Latimer was labeled wrong by the media and unfortunately by some
of his peers.

It's not a war on illegal drugs anymore it's a drug war. It's a war on
all of us now!

Larry Seguin

Lisbon
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin