OPIOID CRISIS IN U.S.

Addiction is a tragedy, not a crime

Re: “Opioid effort needs boost,” May 7 news story

I am deeply concerned about the way in which the illicit use of opioids (largely fentanyl and heroin) have been errantly generalized into a vilification of ethical Pain Doctors and of their grievously injured patients. I can readily believe that there are scoundrels out there, maliciously providing opioids to drug-seeking abusers. I am however ABSOLUTELY convinced that the attempts to take away the medical capacity of legitimate physicians to prescribe the medicine required by patients in profound pain creates an atmosphere of fear and panic among chronic pain sufferers. Socially, we as a nation, prefer not to look tragedies in the face. Courageous colleagues and patients, battling with horrible, non-lethal, but disabling pains desperately require opioids medicines to be productive at work and home. Stop confusing crimes and tragedies!

Jacqueline A Schwarz, PHD, Boulder

Despite the author’s good intentions, John Frank’s piece presented a highly misleading understanding of the “opioid crisis.” This crisis is NOT primarily about the abuse nor about over-prescribing of legally prescribed medications; it is primarily about the effect of illicit drugs. Research has consistently found that the vast majority of opioid-related deaths do not involve legally obtained medication, and that the vast majority of addicts do not start with legally obtained medication. Prescriptions for opioid are at an all-time low, but overdose-related deaths are continuing to increase. This misplacement of blame is of more than academic interest; it is literally killing people. Chronic pain patients, including veterans, are denied medications that enable them to function. Many have been forced to turn to dangerous street drugs or suicide. Such deprivation of needed medical treatment is emerging as the real failure of the medical and political systems.

Elyse Morgan, PH.D., Boulder