Pot times
Wrong Approach on OxyContin
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1070/a02.htmlNewshawk: Humphrey Ploughjogger http://MassCann.org
Pubdate: Mon, 04 Jul 2005
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: letter@globe.com
Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Mary Barton-Lech
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1069.a10.html
WRONG APPROACH ON OXYCONTIN
RECENTLY, my mother passed away after a battle with a very aggressive and
painful form of cancer. Her pain was eased in her final days by the drug
OxyContin. This drug enabled her to be awake and lucid enough to share
final wishes and feelings with her family. She died with the same grace
and dignity she lived her life with.
My mother's hospice nurse carefully monitored her medications and then disposed
of them after her death. Somewhere, others are being less careful with
this drug, and state Senator Steven A. Tolman has seen the need to file
legislation to ban OxyContin in Massachusetts ( "The OxyContin
epidemic," op ed, June 30 ).
My questions are: Why are we not cracking down on where the abuses are
happening? Who is prescribing the drugs that are being consumed in this
epidemic? Why are they not being prosecuted under current laws? And wouldn't
people still be able to get OxyContin from states bordering Massachusetts?
Tolman says: "I believe we have a responsibility to the children, families,
and communities of the Commonwealth to protect them from harm."
Yes, Senator, we do, but our family feels you are focusing your energies in the
wrong place.
MARY BARTON-LECH
Belmont
