Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Wayne Buehrer Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n392/a02.html FOR SOME, OPIOIDS ARE NECESSARY Re: "Protecting Coloradans from opioid abuse," July 15 guest commentary. Opioids are a valuable tool for treating legitimate pain issues. But the actions of state and federal governments concerning opioid abuse are adversely affecting the ability of people with chronic pain to get the medicine they need. In conversations with my chronic pain support group and doctors, I've learned: some doctors won't even discuss opioid prescriptions; many doctors have stopped prescribing opioids for any reason; and doctors are very cautious about accepting new patients with chronic pain. The doctors are concerned about being investigated and find it simpler to just avoid the issue. This makes it more difficult for people who properly need opioids to get the help they need. The doctors are caught in the middle. The legitimate patient suffers. This dilemma must be resolved to allow doctors to practice medicine as they should so those with chronic pain can be treated as they should. Wayne Buehrer, Littleton - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom