Patients, read warning labels

Peter Jackson and his whole family have my sincerest sympathy for the loss of their beautiful daughter six years ago.

However, at the age of 18, did his daughter suffer from a chronic condition, was post-surgery, etc.? What caught my attention was the caption under her photo saying she died “after taking a single Ocycontin pill that was in a relative's medicine cabinet.” Was this her daughter's prescribed medication or the relative's?

All medications, pain or otherwise, come with a long list of possible “adverse reactions” and it appears his daughter suffered one of these. I totally disagree that it is propaganda from the drug companies that we should not live in pain. Having worked for 30 years in the medical field, I strongly feel that no one should have to live with severe, debilitating pain, no matter what the cause.

Once the FDA has allowed a drug to come onto the market, it is then up to he doctor to prescribe it accordingly. However, it is the patient's responsibility to either refuse to take it or to use it appropriately at home. Everyone has a different pain tolerance; no doctor should be criticized for offering or suggesting a pain medication for what, to some people, is a very real painful procedure.

There always has been and always will be overuse and abuse of all medications, not just paid meds. Patients must be informed and educated regarding whatever drugs are prescribed for them; not the FDA.

Again, my condolences to the Jackson family.

Florence C. Baker

Carpentersville