Opioids: Chronic pain sufferers need a choice

Aligning yourself with “Big Pharma” isn’t the popular thing to do, but for people who suffer from chronic pain, it is one group speaking for them. Chronic pain sufferers are looking for help to enable them to take care of themselves, their families, hold a job. The illegal users are escaping reality, hurting themselves and others.

Recently published articles push the opioid epidemic fear, hurting those who need help. In 2014, there were 28,647 overdose deaths related to heroin/opioid use. It is misleading that heroin, a street drug, is grouped with prescription opioids. In 2014 only 14 states saw a rise in deaths that were statistically significant. Overdoses are not one of the top 10 leading causes of death. These statics do not prove overdoses are an “epidemic”. (www.cdc.gov)

There is a need for legally prescribed opioids. Chronic pain robs people of their quality of life. We have tools to help, yet the people who need those tools are suffering needlessly. Yes, overdoses are tragic; an ending to a life for a person who chose to use a drug illegally. But being in pain, 24/7, without relief is equally tragic and barbaric when there is relief available.

This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Opioids: Chronic pain sufferers need a choice."