Abuse isn't the only problem.

My brother had a motorcycle accident several years ago. He lost a leg, destroyed his pelvis, and had to have his chest split open in order to relieve pressure. It took him 3 years to come back and get strong again.

Since my family is not rich and healthcare is a joke in the US, he was placed on homecare and my Mother administered his meds. One night, after yet another new Doctor changed his pain meds yet again, my Mother gave him the prescribed dose of the new pain killer for the first time.

He never woke up.

I think back on this all the time. He was strong when this happened. I saw him lift his entire body from his home hospital bed with one hand while my Mother helped him into a wheel chair weeks before he died. The accident was so horrible, I thought he would never recover, but he did.

And then, suddenly, he was dead, because in the US the combination of a new Doctor (most would just look at his file and refuse to treat him because of the extent of his injuries) a new medication, and not enough money to afford a real nurse.

The lack of true care in our system angers me, yet nothing changes.

If people want to abuse and die from drug over doses, then why should we stand in their way?

The cost of a funeral is less than a 30 day stay at rehab.

The article is very brief, and probably incomplete. I heard a report this morning about problems with medicine shortages. Older Generic medicines that have and are normally used are becoming harder to obtain. This is because generic medicine is not as profitable to make, therefore many manufacturers are dropping them in favor of more profitable drugs. Since they are harder to get new drugs are being used and being unfamiliar with dosages overdoses are being applied even in hospitals.

Overdoses are up. With things being what they are, I'm just guessing you can blame most of them on suicides.

Another one bites the dust. If they want to become @!$%#bags and ruin their families lives screw them. Heck we should make them easier to get. "Mommy, why didn't daddy come home." "Because hunny, he was a bad person with many other things that came before us. We will eat good from now on."

Cavalier, you are probably right. Still, it's a better alternative than "suicide by cop." @Jim-350736 It sounds like your brother was a gutsy guy coping with the results of a terrible accident. However, we all know (or should) that motorcycle riding is risky business. The injuries and their attendant costs can be monumental. To blame our medical system for what happened is just not reasonable. Society cannot afford to take care of everyone for everything--that is just harsh reality. I am truly sorry for your loss.

It's not always abuse and doctor error either. Too many patients think painkillers are inherently "safe". Many patients will take too large a dose or take it more frequently because they're not getting the results they want. This is more common with over the counter pain meds, but I even have a guy in my office who keeps Vicodin around to treat a normal headache.

This article was not informative enough to make judgment calls, only enough to think about possible causes.

An injury in 1985 left me in chronic pain, so I must take pain medication on a daily basis. Without it, I would have never completed school, would not be able to do my at-home exercise program, and would not be able to function at a level which gives me some quality of life. I'm responsible with my medications, yet doctors start trying to make changes because of the rampant abuse. It's hard for them to grasp that some of us actual take less than prescribed, when possible. People looking to get high really screw it up for those of us who take it out of necessity versus for a better buzz. On the flip side, I've had doctors make mistakes when prescribing my medications; had I not sent each doctor an updated list my meds, I would have possibly died. Whether it falls on the lap of the doctor and/or the patient, people simply must be responsible.

Jim, I am so sorry for your lose. So sad. He obviously needed pain killers. But a lot of people on painkillers can and should grit their teeth and bear a little pain. Pain killers and meds in general are way too over prescribed in the US. Only take meds if you absolutely have to. That goes for antidepressants and ADHD meds as well.
Gillanator is right on target about greed, corruption and profiteering in the pharmaceutical industry. Point in case, cancer. No way we can do all we've done in so many fields and still be with out a cure for cancer. Greed, corruption and profiteering.

I don't know where you are living but where I am at if you have extensive oral surgery the best you can hope for is 600 milligram Ibuprofen because they are afraid you will sell anything stronger to a pill popper

To blame our medical system for what happened is just not reasonable. Society cannot afford to take care of everyone for everything--that is just harsh reality.

This lack of care for the poor is only in our country and a few third world nations unfortunately. The "reality" of the situation is quite different in truly social societies. The two words are synonymous you know. Well, we once knew that anyways.

But a lot of people on painkillers can and should grit their teeth and bear a little pain.

Just try it B-89. I saw pain in my brother you have no idea of. I am also painfully aware that we are taught to do whatever the Doctor says. That's all he or my Mother did. And when you are poor, chances are you won't question them anyway for fear of being further neglected.

I'm sorry money is the real focus of our system. My entire family is.

drugs used by the middle class will always be legal and easily accessible while drugs for the lower class will always be illegal. it all comes down to tax revenues to the gov.

Jim-

You are absolutely correct; our "health care" system is devoted to profit above all else.

New pharma drugs are profitable. Sickness is more profitable than wellness. People using more and more pharma drugs is profitable.

Most people do what their doctors tell them to do. The problem is big pharma and the insurance companies are the ones telling the doctors what they can and should advise the patient to do. It is a conflict of interest that regularly results in harm to patients.

Enough said if you can't think past "Marijuana overdoses: 0"

Marijuana can't begin to relieve intense pain like the drugs mentioned in the survey. I dislocated my back and the pain killers they gave me barely took the edge off the pain.

It's amazing that we spend billions upon billions of dollars on this war on drug's, when the real tragedy is within the system its self. We waste so much money hunting down the pot smoker with an ounce of it on them, but I guess it wouldn't be PC to have a billboard of a pill-head. You know, since it's legal and all.

hs321 - I dont believe that was their point. Their point is, a drug that has killed no one...is illegal, while drugs that routinely (and this article did not point out) has killed more than cocaine and heroin combined (recent stats) is legal...and Big Pharma is profitting handsomely in the process.

When I had non-stop migraines from july through september 2 years ago...they kept trying to give me pain meds to relieve it, and nothing touched the pain. The entire time I was smoking, and it just barely took the edge off enough that I would stop seriously considering blowing my head off.

If I hadnt been smoking, I might very seriously considered ending my life the pain was so intense and constant.

Even you realize that not all pain pills work for everyone, so why wouldnt you be open to trying marijuana? or some other street drug that's currently illegal, but tends to have a good reputation for addressing pain?

"Your rifle is for fighting your gun is for fun." Pain medications are for serous pain relief and some many Doctors will not perscribe enough due to some foolish Federal guidelines, formulas politic, etc. Pot is not for pain relief, although it may have some medical uses. Cannibis is mostly recreational. It really is a pity how our Leaders a screwed this up, and we too by voting for puritanical zealots that mislead us for out votes.

posted in the wrong spot, oops

hs321

I would bet that many of these overdoses were by people that only had mental pain to kill. Addiction.

....try smoking a joint when you have serious pain, jaco

I'm seriously considering taking a new pill from big pharma called 'Fukitol'

.....ask your doctor if Fukitol (tm) is right for you

If you are going to use other peoples jokes atleast give them credit. Bill Maher did an entire bit on Fukital.

Yo ReligiousWrong - Nothing against marijuana but... "Marijuana overdoses: 0" Not quite true. And that w/o considering the number of deaths associated w/ pot for example auto accidents. Kid in my high school killed passengers not once but twice driving under the influence. (This was back in the late '70s when the laws were less strict, especially when dealing w/ minors). Pot, meds, booze, they must all be used with discretion, caution and maturity/responsibility.

jam2323

I think you should see a doctor about this new pill called "Eat-me", from the makers of "Bite-me"

b-895713:

"Marijuana overdoses: 0" Not quite true.

Actually, that is very true. No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. Do you have any evidence otherwise?

And that w/o considering the number of deaths associated w/ pot for example auto accidents.

According to your statement you implied there are marijuana deaths. Care to elaborate on that comment? Which marijuana deaths? Are you saying that people died from smoking MJ?

Kid in my high school killed passengers not once but twice driving under the influence.

Under the influence of what? Was that kid driving under the influence ONLY on pot or was he also drinking alcohol? (I'm betting alcohol was involved)

Pot, meds, booze, they must all be used with discretion, caution and maturity/responsibility.

I totally agree. No argument there.

One Dirty Rat,

The total number of fatalities from car crashes where marijuana is the sole drug to blame were about 400 in 2009.

Of course, the total number of deaths due to jaywalking was approximately 8000 during the same year and you don't see the government spending billions to crack down on jaywalking...

Scuba:

Can you please provide a source for those stats from 2009?

Haha - the obvious is now news.

But the article didn't say what led to the dramatic increase in pain medication ods.

It could be an overdose due to combining several meds that the patient was told were safe to combine. In other words, an accidental overdose. Or it could be intentional suicide or a bad reaction in a new patient, or a number of other causes.

basically, pain medicine is bad for you, mmmkay?

The do have it. It's called Naloxone.

Naloxone is only useful for opioid overdosing...

correct!

Puleeeeeze!

Pretty please!

Ray..you do realize bringing up Perry could cause some readers to overdose on pain meds, right?

Sometimes you need that numb. I broke two ribs on my left side a few years ago. Ibuprofen was about as good for the pain as Tic-Tacs. Broken ribs aren't too bad... it only hurts when you breathe... or move... or stay still...

Zeke
Hey dude, maybe some people are wimps, but people perceive pain differently. Sometimes even 1000mg anti inflammatory a few times per day will not relieve that pain. By the way, anti- inflammatory medications can not take care of pain associated with nerves, except when a muscle is inflamed and pressing.. ect..

Zeke, three words for you...secondary Multiple Sclerosis...now, shut your mouth!

zeke, if a chiropractor and massage cures your pain then you don't know what pain is. real pain cannot be mitigated by touch and pseudo science.

Zeke....I was like you. Rarely used pain medications for anything. Everyone, including doctors, said I had a high tolerance for pain. Then I dislocated my back and had a really bad case of sciatica.

Trust me my friend. If you hurt bad enough, you will beg for pain killers and eat them like candy.

Just pray you never find your self in that much pain.

I doubt zeke was referring to the issues most of you had/have. legit pain medication CERTAINLY has its place in medicine. to me, he was talking more of the every day guy/gal/dr that over-medicates at every possible chance.

Phil, have you ever used marijuana cultivated for your specific condition? I know it isn't legal most places, but certain types or blends of marijuana have shown to be VERY effective for people with your condition. If it isn't the right blend you can end up just having the typical stoner high and not getting what you are looking for. It is very practical and you won't experience any withdrawal symptoms that add to the trouble. I wish our gov't wasn't so ridiculous for people just like you and others that could find real relief without adding unwanted side-effects.

phil - sorry to hear you MS. My partner does too.

Have you tried addressing your MS through diet, exercise and stress reduction?

My partner has had MS for 10 years now, first 3 she was on conventional medication - which only made her MS worse.

The past 7 years we've used diet - (limited red meat, no caffeine, no alcohol, no chocolate) exercise - (walking, stretches, ect) and stress reduction - (marijuana, acupuncture, avoiding people who can affect her stress levels - unfortunately, like her mother).

I say we, because im just as crucial to this process as she is...it's not easy avoiding things you love, like caffeine (mt dew) or chocolate...and we struggle, we're not perfect...but she can definitely tell when she's overdone it on those things, and when we cut back...she gets better. The alcohol, is probably the worst - it's affects are immediate.

Anywho, just thought id share...we dont see neurologists anymore because they basically refuse to see her as a patient because she refuses to go the route of traditional western medication...but if you are taking the medication, I dont see why it's not worth it to give these other things a try...especially if you pain is that severe.

I know MS affects everyone a bit differently, and men especially tend to have more issues with pain/motor function than women do...so im not trying to say what's worked for her will work for everyone.

Im just saying...if you try it, and find that certain things do help...like cutting out alcohol, and doing a bit more exercise...then it's worth it right?

Best of luck!

PA2AK got what I was getting at. I'm not talking about seriously painful things. I'm talking about little things that really don't require the crap getting prescribed.

People in real pain do deserve real pain killers. But a lot of doctors will just write off an RX for Vicodin for anything. I had a mole cut out of my leg and my doctor was offering me Tylenol 3 with codine- enough for a week. Yeah, it hurt but not enough for that kind of medication. 800mg of Ibuprofen after the numbing wore off and maybe another the next day was all it took.

I know everyone processes pain differently. I have random joint pain and muscle pain all over my body because of my Hashimoto's. Since I was 10 years old I have had debilitating pain in my ankles anytime I try to go for a walk for more than 5 minutes- no matter what I do. I understand pain that popping some OTC pain killer won't solve.

I'm talking about a girl I lived with who was riding a bike and got tapped by a car at a cross walk. Not hit, not flying across the intersection, not even a dent. She was tapped and it hurt her knee. She could easily still walk, it just hurt. She was BEGGING for vicodin or anything more than ibuprofen or Tylenol- crying that she couldn't take it- it was oh so bad! She guilted someone else into paying to fill her prescription- she forgot about taking them the next day and sold the rest of them for twice what the friend paid for them.

Broken bones, MS, Transverse Myelitis (my mom has this) are different. Pain like this is something real. I am for something to help you through with this. It's when people scream for vicodin for a stubbed toe and doctors just go a head and write it off that I have a problem.

I can get it for chornic back pain instead of getting a massage and seeing a chiropractor because it's cheaper

I would rather go to a faith-healer than a chiropracter - it's cheaper...and just as effective

I would rather go to a faith-healer than a chiropracter - it's cheaper...and just as effective

Yeah, probably safer too, robbo.

Zeke - my wife was diagnosed with cancer about 1.5 years ago. She was given the normal round of b.s. meds to calm the stomach and reduce pain from some of the other procedures. Most made her puke and feel like sh!t. Of course, in my state I can't get marijuana without doing it illegally. Took the risk and she used to pound some food and got rid of the upset stomach and actually relieved a lot of the pain. I know if you look at my posts on this board I will look like a med. marijuana advocate...well I guess I am. I don't smoke it or use it at all, but way to many stories out there just like this one. People use prescription drugs because they think it is the only answer when it isn't always the case. It was one part of the puzzle that helped her attitude and physical health through the process and she is now in remission. Big Gov't & Big Pharma are a bad team.

Zeke

I do understand what you are saying, doctors nowadays are prescribing very strong painkillers for some things that do not necessarily warrant them. For example my husband hurt his knee years ago and the doctor he was seeing simply prescribed him painkillers. No X-ray, no mri just painkillers. My husband took them for a whole year and the whole time the dr did nothing. Needless to say my husband had a serious addiction by then, and I blame it on the Dr. and his misuse of these medications. Thankfully my husband was able to kick the habit, although it almost cost us our marriage. I was also in the hospital having my third child and my Dr. tried to prescribe me Oxycontin for the cramps when the uterus contracts, I was shocked that he wanted to prescribe something so strong. I had to ask for something that wasnt as strong, and i didnt even need half of what they gave me.

I deffinateley think that these drugs have there proper place in medicine. But i think some doctors misuse these drugs.

My sister killed herself due to chronic pain. Nothing she tried worked. I'm not an advocate for anything harder than marijuana but I wish she'd had legal access to a little heroin. We might still have her.

I doubt zeke was referring to the issues most of you had/have. legit pain medication CERTAINLY has its place in medicine. to me, he was talking more of the every day guy/gal/dr that over-medicates at every possible chance.

Phil, have you ever used marijuana cultivated for your specific condition? I know it isn't legal most places, but certain types or blends of marijuana have shown to be VERY effective for people with your condition. If it isn't the right blend you can end up just having the typical stoner high and not getting what you are looking for. It is very practical and you won't experience any withdrawal symptoms that add to the trouble. I wish our gov't wasn't so ridiculous for people just like you and others that could find real relief without adding unwanted side-effects.

sorry don't know how that posted twice

Zeke, if you have random joint pain,perhaps it is due to your rolling 'em to tight! By the way,how many of them do you have to smoke to get your joints to talk to you?

Of course, the perception of pain is all in the mind, regardless of whether the source is broken ribs, MS, or anything else.

How interesting. I work in clinical research, in MS as it happens, though not in Phil's particular diagnosis because there are absolutely zero pharmaceutical companies cultivating new medications for people with low-grossing diseases like Phil's. The money is in relapsing-remitting (I'm asssuming Phil has secondary progressive MS), which affects 85% of MS patients, so the other 15%, like Phil, have nothing to treat their MS except pain medications and other risky medications that are not approved for MS and which usually involve a lot of needles and doctor visits.

I spoke with two of them last week who began using medicinal marijuana for their pain (we are in CO) and they were so happy to have something that addressed both the pain and the nausea from all the other meds they have to take that one of them actually cried and the other told me he couldn't believe he used to be one of "those people" who think that pot is just for druggies.

We have 167 patients with MS in trials, and one who is addicted to vicodin because SHE violated the law and went to numerous doctors to have 840 mg of vicodin prescribed to her each day. Although her pain is very real, the pain of her addiction is worse and obviously more harmful, which is easy to see in a person you interview monthly for 3 years.

On the other hand, 21 of our patients use medicinal marijuana for over 3 months (in some trials you only see them quarterly), and all of them have reduced their other medications except one person who was not on any other medications. The most amazing thing to see is someone with a chronic tremor or terrible spasticity just finally be able to sit still. Vicodin can do none of that.

Good luck to Phil and Jessica. I truly sympathize with you/your partner.

those pesky teenagers with their dime-bags...little hellions!

It's kinda hard to "abuse" pot.

It's kinda hard to "abuse" pot.

Untrue A.T. There are many ways to abuse pot

> Provide inadequate lighting or water when its growing

> Improper clipping when harvesting

> Over drying

> Not inhaling properly (ask BIll Clinton)

> Pouring gasoline on it and burning it by the bale...

Shall I go on?

win

Dan,

Gotta agree with you on that. The biggest abuse of all is to let the cops yank it, show pics on TV, then sell it out through their boys. That really sucks.

Dan FTW! Best response on the board.

Good post, Dan. I have long been traumatized by the sight of innocent pot plants being murdered on television for all to see. It's barbaric.

Meanwhile the self righteous Rush Limbaugh is the poster child for OxyContin.

Its probably because you look low class or are a junkie yourself.

@ryan-1853964 way to be a total a$$.

Got to love judgmental pricks, that always assume the worst in people. Got... to... love it!

C'MON... not a druggie, That was rude, insensitive and uncalled for!!!!

I am clean, smell clean, wear clean clothing, which I tend to find them quite nice and I do not smoke cigarettes or drink beer.

However, if I was a druggie, a broken neck warrants pain relief.

When I broke my ankle and collarbone (2 separate accidents), the doctors didn't give me one pill for the pain. "Go home and take a tylenol" I was told. For a broken collarbone! Talk about pain.

I guess the doctors were hoarding it for themselves or their wealthy clients. Otherwise, how do these celebrities and actors have pretty much limitless pharmacies at their disposal?

It more the cause of ignorant people buying into the drug scare and actually believing it that gives rise to these stupid acts you mention. Not the "druggies" themselves. You are your own problem.

Fukkin dumbasses.

Cut them some slack A.T.

They're just frustrated because they can't masturbate for fear of growing hair on their palms and going blind.

You are correct and remember this is exactly what Rush Limbaugh was abusing and never went to jail eventhough he was arrested. Of course, no big celebrity pays the price only little people who go to jail or cannot get the medication because others are abusing it.

I watched a doctor accuse my best friend of being a drug addict when she was asking to get her thyroid tested for hypothyroidism. Not just once, but 3 times he accused her of it in about 15 minutes.

She wasn't asking for a pain killer, she wasn't even asking for medicine, she was just asking for a blood test!

Zeke,

Maybe he was looking for a side customer.

For crying out loud people, if your doctor treats you badly GO TO ANOTHER DOCTOR and go home and post a bad review on the internet about the first doctor. Eventually, when they have no more business they will figure out that they are major a-holes and maybe change their ways. Otherwise, no progress is ever made.

There are many doctors out there who should not be doctors.

@mhp - did you have insurance?

I have never met a doctor who is a nice person, and I work with them every day all over the country. Docs are diks, so give up on the pipe dream of them treating you with any respect whatsoever. Sure, every so often you'll get a nice one who genuinely acts like they care. Hold on to that doc, s/he's a gem, and pretending to care is pretty above and beyond these days. What you have to do is go in knowing what you're talking about, symptoms on paper, and giving off the impression that you know that doctor is not better than you, which s/he is already convinced of.

Doctors think more highly of themselves than celebrities, and celebrities are about the only people besides CEOs with more undeserved money than docs. This is why celebrities and docs (and docs and CEOs) get along so well. This is why they don't think you matter.

Lacie, what you said is true. However, if you are going to be a jerk doctor, you should at least have some diagnostic skill. If you are a jerk who can't diagnose his way out of a paper sack, you should lose your licence. Doctors with no people skills should do research or be a medical examiner. It is also true that many narcissists choose the medical profession because they love having power over other people. My sister is a narcissistic a-hole paramedic who gets off on 5150ing people and stringing them up like puppets when they are unconcious. This seems to be the prevailing attitude amongst medical/emergency personnel.

Another great comment from the so called "tolerant" crowd.

yes..there is no in between! All liberals are socialist, commie, pot-smokers! All conservatives are bible thumping, racist, white people! Come on man...don't believe what either media source is shoving your way. We are all more alike than we are different. They just want you to think otherwise so we can stay pissed at each other instead of them.

I would recommend that all republicans take about 500 micrograms of pure LSD after studying the Constitution for about two weeks. Also would recommend that they use the SCOTUS for their trip guides. Also would recommend a swat team outside the door to rescue the SCOTUS.

@chuck williams...you Sir are an IDIOT!!

Don't you love the opportunistic few who can't wait to spew their political rants...even if it has NOTHING to do with topic at hand. Just more hatred for people with a different opinion.

ps....you even managed to play the race card with your clever "kkk" in Republican. Straight out of the lib playbook. Divert, rant, and call conservatives racist. Nicely done.

I would suggest that anyone strictly abiding by either party kindly break the front window of his or her microwave, place cranium inside, and press "Baked Potato" option.

Now Chuck I must admit that the republicans bring out my inner genocidal German. However, we must rise above our primal impulses. Otherwise we are no better.

My most recent theory is to secede the Blue States from the Red and let them implement their Tea Party economic and social strategies. Let them live the "Red State" life that they want. We in the Blue States, however will be living the high life with Universal Healthcare fully funded by legalized Marijuana. Democrats in the Blue States would be so much better without those conservatives draining us dry that we wouldn't even need abortions.

The only problem with succession would be that the Red States would all be welfare states without the tax revenue from the Blue States (except Texas and that's only because of oil). The Red States could never survive without the Blue. Not true the other way around.

marinmom....see Matt-3468366

@marinmom -- Texas has a lot more, economically, than just oil... maybe you don't realize the size of the state and its diversity!

That being said, I find neo-conservatives and democrats like you to be one and the same. You want to tell me what to do with my money and neo-cons want to tell me what to do with my money. Neo-cons want a big government that plays war games and manipulates economics and democrats like you want a big government that plays social games and manipulates economics.

Neither way protects an individual above all else and fails miserably in my book. The problem we have in this country is one group will want one thing and expect the rest of the country to follow. That's unfair.

I would not point a gun to my neighbor's head and demand him to pay for my holy war or my healthcare. I'm guessing you would not, either... yet, that's exactly what you (the democrat) and neo-cons are trying to do.

We should really be banding together against the politicians, rather than playing their game and flinging crap at each other from across the aisle. If you think that they're not all friends when the cameras are off, you're mistaken. To keep up their lifestyle, they need you to fight like this, suffer for their stupidity, and keep voting them back into office.

Really, once you stop playing their game you'll see that they ALL need to go.

All I'm saying is separate the Red States from the Blue and see which system works better but no one wants to because that would leave the Red States (who claim that the Democrats live on welfare) destitute.

I think it would be a great experiment. It would also be a great way for some of those Red State fatties to lose some weight. Maybe they could eat their oil or guns or maybe Jaaaaysuuus will appear and feed them.

see this doesn't solve the problem. Dr's do what they do by the pressure handed down to them from the Big Pharma/FDA complex. Not saying what they do is right or OK, but they are a symptom of our gov't being in bed with these companies. When that power is combined (I am captain planet!) no, really...they end up not worrying about the end result. They get their money and have no fear of paying for the crime, while the gov't doesn't have to be accountable for any of their actions. Doctors, for the most part, are decent people. They are just put through an education/social system that promotes prescription drugs over natural cures. Some cases require drugs...but many don't. There needs to be a balance.

IMO, this article could have offered more insight. To throw a simple statistic at us is only so enlightening.

How many deaths were among chronic pain suffers? How often was alcohol involved? How many were recreational users? How often were ppl taking more then the recommended dosage? To me these are KEY questions that need answers before any debates can be productive.

Raider...that type of comprehensive statistic would certainly require at least a few million and several years to put together (sarcasm). Really though, valid point.

Yeah....last I heard the FDA was asking for an additional $100M of tax payer money to investigate further. They expect their study to be completed by 2015. lol.

that soon?!

AGREED!!

IMO, this article could have offered more insight. To throw a simple statistic at us is only so enlightening.

How many deaths were among chronic pain suffers? How often was alcohol involved? How many were recreational users? How often were ppl taking more then the recommended dosage? To me these are KEY questions that need answers before any debates can be productive.

Wow! Mom of Four I really don't think you understand what true pain is. I can't even understand it. My husband is at his target weight and is in chronic pain. He has never been overweight and his back and joints constantly hurt. Serious pain killers that people overdose on is not prescribed to someone that is in pain from being overweight. They are prescribed to people who are in chronic pain comparable to someone dying of cancer. I broke my knee and had surgery. My husband's painkillers were still stonger than what the doctor prescribed after surgery. Overweight people are not the only ones in pain.

AMEN! Fellow chronic pain person!

This is a great observation. We also need to make other forms available. The pain meds are passed around like the only solution to every pain problem. They are not. They ARE the only solution for many, but not the ONLY solution for all.

Pharma & Gov't....best of friends.

the airwaves are supposed to belong to the people...this is in the FCC charter

however, the drug companies use the insane profits they get from overcharging the American public to pay for massive advertising for "new" and "improved" drugs over these same airwaves - that supposedly belong to us in the first place

I agree...we should kick the drug companies off the air the same way we did tobacco companies