Say Federal Rules Hurt Those Who Could Be Helped With heroin and OxyContin abuse at epidemic levels, Massachusetts doctors say they are increasingly frustrated by tight federal restrictions that force them to put addicts on a waiting list for the most promising treatment for opiate addiction in decades. Suboxone is the first treatment for addiction to heroin and narcotic pain relievers that doctors can prescribe rather than sending patients to a methadone clinic, making it more attractive for younger addicts and addicts who hold jobs and other responsibilities. Suboxone can be taken at home, and , unlike methadone, it doesn't make patients groggy and there is little risk of a fatal overdose. [continues 652 words]
Diane never smoked marijuana, and she disapproved of her mother's past drug experiments. But cancer made the 33-year-old teacher ready to try anything that might help: she hoped she would find a cure in herbs from a Tibetan doctor or in the hands of a faith healer deep in the Brazilian rain forest. Then, as the pain and fatigue of advanced colon cancer left Diane increasingly bedridden, she just wanted the strength to get out of bed. That's when she found ecstasy, the illegal drug people often take at all-night dance parties. [continues 1183 words]
After a 40-year virtual ban on research involving psychedelic drugs, scientists look anew at their potential in treating pain and anxiety Diane never smoked marijuana, and she disapproved of her mother's past drug experiments. But cancer made the 33-year-old teacher ready to try anything that might help: she hoped she would find a cure in herbs from a Tibetan doctor or in the hands of a faith healer deep in the Brazilian rain forest. Then, as the pain and fatigue of advanced colon cancer left Diane increasingly bedridden, she just wanted the strength to get out of bed. [continues 1128 words]
Alarmed by evidence that more than 3 percent of prescriptions for addictive pain relievers go to drug abusers, Massachusetts regulators announced plans yesterday to identify suspected abusers of OxyContin and other narcotics by expanding and analyzing a database of prescriptions. Under the plan, the Department of Public Health would notify doctors and pharmacists about patients who receive a "questionable" number of prescriptions from multiple sources in hope they can help those who are addicted to drugs. State officials said they would target an estimated 2,500 people who appear to be "doctor shopping," visiting numerous physicians and drug stores in a single month to amass far more of the drugs than the 30-day supply permitted by law. The department would track the pain reliever prescriptions for the roughly 500,000 Bay State residents who receive them annually. However, the department would pass along information only to medical or law enforcement officials. [continues 693 words]
Before Arrest, He Led State In OxyContin Prescriptions By the time Dr. Michael Brown was arrested in August in a Jaguar that police say was loaded with cash, prescription drugs, and a jumble of patient records, his reputation for liberally dispensing painkillers had earned him a nickname in law enforcement circles: Dr. Feel Good. Police had identified at least eight suspected drug addicts or dealers among Brown's patients, according to a state investigator's report, and a mothers' group had picketed his Cape Cod office last summer, accusing him of addicting young people to the highly potent drug OxyContin. [continues 2413 words]
I grew up in the '70s. Marijuana was not quite as controversial as in the '60s, and it was certainly more popular while being just as illicit as ever. I admit to experimenting with marijuana as a teenager, but never experienced the pleasure or enjoyment that frequent users seem to benefit from. Since then I have read about the evolving movement for marijuana use in medical applications in various patients. I personally saw no reason to deny such patients some relief through smoking pot. [continues 170 words]
