The real problem behind opiate abuse

Once again I pick up the Herald, and lo and behold, another article on the dangers of the evil opiate. Article after article it's the same old song about the evils of opiates.

But no one has seen the real problem of opiate abuse. And that is there are hundreds of thousands of people who don't abuse them and need them to manage their pain which is very real. I get the point where there are a lot of people abusing prescription drugs and when they run out they turn to heroin which is garbage and you don't really know what you are getting, that's how people die. Not from the drugs their doctors give them but more of the junk that's on the street.

Chronic pain is a real disabling condition and people need relief. Tens of thousands use there meds in a responsible way but due to the dope addicts abusing opiates the truly needy suffer, why take the medication away from the responsible people due to them?

There is also a terrible gun problem in this country but do we take away everyone's gun due to the criminal element? No, that would never happen, but that's what's happening with pain meds everyone assumes that if you take pain medication that you are a druggie. I had an fall at work and am now disabled and need pain medication to actually get out of bed and have a somewhat normal day. Some days I lay in bed with tears in my eyes due to pain.

More and more doctors are reluctant to give the help to their patients because of all the bad press and government restrictions. I fear the day that take it away from the people that need it. If it has to be done, fine, but there better be an alternative to give the people that are suffering. Opiates don't kill people - people kill people, and sometimes they kill themselves. But everyone should not have to suffer.

Ken Foerster

Carpentersville