Pubdate: Thu, 22 Mar 2012
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Dr. Gifford-Jones

AN RX FOR OXYCONTIN ADDICTS: CHOP WOOD IN NORTHERN CANADA

What will happen to the 200,000 or more Canadian OxyContin addicts now
that this opioid narcotic is no longer available? For years these
people have embarked on a wilful act of self-destruction. Isn't it
about time for society to get its priorities straight? To care more
for those who have lived a good lifestyle, paid their taxes and when
dying of cancer, suffer needless agony because there's no money for
more palliative centres in this country.

Those who are rallying to help OxyContin addicts are making a series
of illogical errors. Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin, also made a
blunder. It spent needless money producing OxyNEO, an opioid version
of OxyContin that resists crushing or liquefying so addicts can't
snort or inject it.

Toronto made the same illogical move when it spent millions building a
protective fence to prevent people from jumping off the Bloor Street
aqueduct. Now instead they jump in front of speeding subway trains.
OxyContin addicts will similarly resort to other addictive drugs such
as heroin and hydromorphone.

But just how sick are OxyContin addicts? I have no personal experience
in treating addicts. But Theodore Dalrymple, a British prison doctor
and psychiatrist, has looked after addicts for years. In his book
Romancing Opiates he writes that heroin is not as highly addictive as
is claimed, and withdrawal from this drug is not medically serious. He
adds that a useless bureaucracy has been established to deal with
addicts. I say "Amen" to that one.

I think Dalrymple is right. Years ago when I was researching heroin in
England I saw cancer patients on huge doses of heroin. But if there
was a remission of the cancer they could be quickly weaned off this
painkiller.

I realize there are hard-core addicts that will never be weaned off
drugs. But our irresponsibly permissive approach to others seeking a
"high" has resulted in a bureaucracy costing millions of dollars. And
it's not working. How could it be? Over 200,000 are prescription
addicts, tens of thousands are using illegal drugs and in some
communities half of the people are addicted to medication.

Years ago in this column I predicted this would happen if we did not
follow Singapore's law, the death sentence to those who brought heroin
into the country. Now our lenient attitude to drug pushers has
resulted in an over-medicated drug-addicted society.

Now that we have the problem what can be done about it? I'd bet my
last dollar that a huge number of those taking illegal drugs and
OxyContin are being treated with the wrong prescription. They don't
need more doctors, social workers or politicians handing out more
money for methadone facilities and injection sites. What they require
is a tough sergeant-major stationed in northern Canada. His orders
would be simple, "Up at 6 a.m. and start chopping wood." It would
result in a speedy cure.

I can already hear the hollering from the do-gooders. But I don't give
a damn if some readers think I'm a Hard-Hearted Hannah.

I've been part of a group trying to raise funds for over a year for
more palliative care centres for dying patients in this country. And
because we're dealing with DEATH, rather than what people consider a
more respectable problem, like heart disease, we have few donations.

So if this country was bursting with dollars and could provide care to
everyone, I wouldn't give a damn how addicts were treated. But we're
not wallowing in dollars. And it's unjust when those who choose to
endanger their lives get more financial assistance for methadone
centres and injection sites than those who are dying in agony.
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MAP posted-by: Matt