Pubdate: Sun, 26 Aug 2007
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2007 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Suzanne Wills

GOVERNMENT DECIDING PAIN CARE

Re: "Painkiller sales up sharply - Widening use reflected in DEA 
statistics has some concerned," Tuesday news story.

According to the American Medical Association, over 50 million 
Americans live with pain. This appalling situation exists largely 
because it is Drug Enforcement Administration policy to frighten and 
intimidate physicians. When a physician suspected of wrongdoing is 
arrested, the DEA often bursts into the office, using agents in SWAT gear.

After the conviction of a prominent pain specialist for drug 
trafficking, Dr. C. Stratton Hill, president of Texas Cancer Pain 
Initiative of Texas, wrote, "Any Texas physician (or any physician 
anywhere, for that matter) who treats pain adequately with opioids 
needs to have his or her head examined."

The Justice Department is determined that it, not physicians, 
caregivers and patients, will determine what medical care is 
appropriate and available in this country.

Suzanne Wills

Drug Policy Forum of Texas

Dallas
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman