Be sensible about this

I am responding to a letter from Gary McLehaney of Benton concerning the use of opiates. Obviously Mr. McLehaney has never endured severe pain for any length of time, believing bearing pain toughens you up.

I’m sorry for his loss of friends and family due to opiates. However, if properly used, opiates can bring considerable relief for severe pain.

I’m a 77-yearold woman suffering from debilitating knee pain from arthritis. No,

I am not a candidate for knee replacement because of heart disease. Without the controlled use of opiates, I am unable to walk across the room.

I don’t know Mr. McLehaney’s age or health issues. I pray he never has to sit in a chair for the rest of his life being toughened by pain. For me, I prefer to take my prescribed opiates and to be able to care for myself, and participate in chair yoga at the Y. I have never experienced a “high” from taking what my doctor has given me.

Taking opiates off the market will only cause many people to needlessly suffer. It will not cure the problem of addiction.

I wonder how Mr. McLehaney feels about visiting a liquor store, where many alcoholics purchase their “drugs.” Drunk drivers cause many deaths—should we remove alcohol from the marketplace? I don’t think so. I enjoy an occasional glass of wine, but that doesn’t make me an alcoholic. Likewise, I use opioids, but I am not a drug addict.

Let’s try to be sensible about these pain relievers. Properly used, they can bring relief to so many.

NONA DUMAS

Hot Springs