In July, The State ran a front-page story discussing illegal abuse of the pain drug OxyContin and its effect in the Carolinas. The article was filled with emotional stories of addiction and rogue clinicians who apparently deal drugs for profit. The stories dramatically exposed a serious public health problem unknown to many.

My point of concern is that the article focused on only one medication, OxyContin, while many prescription drugs are subject to illegal abuse and can be deadly if not taken under a physician's guidance. It also overlooked the need to protect patients with a legitimate need for pain medicines from having their access to these medications endangered by unwise enforcement policies.

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