Pubdate: Thu, 23 Aug 2001
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.sjmercury.com/
Address: 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190
Forum: http://forums.bayarea.com/webx/cgi-bin/WebX
Fax: (408) 271-3792
Author: Martin Kavanagh

DEA'S HEAVY HAND

Your story on the court ruling regarding pain treatment (Page 1A, Aug. 22) 
did not mention the most influential issue facing physicians attempting to 
deal with patient pain: the war on drugs and the Drug Enforcement 
Administration.

Since our society seems to have accepted the premise of a military/police 
influence on the treatment of pain, most physicians have acquiesced to the 
idea that it's better to under-medicate pain than experience the wrath of 
the drug prohibitionists.

Should anyone doubt the influence of the DEA, note the "DEA identification" 
number found on pharmacy prescriptions given to you by your physician. To 
have the criminal justice system involved in the treatment of pain should 
be a crime.

Martin Kavanagh

Saratoga
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager