Needless Suffering Research Paper
Lindsey Thiel
Nanette Kuhlman
Eng Comp 111
April 26, 2013
Needless Suffering A recent trend in drug seeking behavior has led many physicians to stop the practice of prescribing painkillers, stirring a debate on whether physicians have an ethical responsibility to treat pain even though some patients are abusing the drugs prescribed. Some argue that not prescribing painkillers is up to the physicians because it is their practice at stake. The problem with this line of thinking is that it draws an invisible line in the sand. Physicians are supposed to treat patients, not pick and choose because of potential legal liabilities, and they take an oath stating just that. Therefore, it is unethical and unacceptable for physicians to refuse …show more content…
The study found that of the 919 deaths in a three-year period blamed on prescription narcotic overdose, only twelve proved to have confirmed evidence of the presence of painkillers alone in the system of the deceased (8). In fact, nearly 70% of the deceased had poisonous amounts of multiple illegal nonprescription drugs in their systems. These statistics point to a pathology of mental illness and drug addiction. The study states that “In the absence of opioids habitual users will, in all likelihood, merely switch to more available drugs” (Libby 6). According to Libby …show more content…
If the media did their job, they would have come to a far different conclusion than what was reported by the Lancet. The media would have reported the truth. The truth is that according to the DEA’s own records, death by overdose on prescription narcotics alone, numbered 464. That amounts to 0.00008 percent of deaths for every 100,000 prescriptions written (Libby 7). If the media had done their jobs they would have found that prescription narcotics are not the number one killing drug in America, and they definitely would not be calling it a problem of epidemic
Nanette Kuhlman
Eng Comp 111
April 26, 2013
Needless Suffering A recent trend in drug seeking behavior has led many physicians to stop the practice of prescribing painkillers, stirring a debate on whether physicians have an ethical responsibility to treat pain even though some patients are abusing the drugs prescribed. Some argue that not prescribing painkillers is up to the physicians because it is their practice at stake. The problem with this line of thinking is that it draws an invisible line in the sand. Physicians are supposed to treat patients, not pick and choose because of potential legal liabilities, and they take an oath stating just that. Therefore, it is unethical and unacceptable for physicians to refuse …show more content…
The study found that of the 919 deaths in a three-year period blamed on prescription narcotic overdose, only twelve proved to have confirmed evidence of the presence of painkillers alone in the system of the deceased (8). In fact, nearly 70% of the deceased had poisonous amounts of multiple illegal nonprescription drugs in their systems. These statistics point to a pathology of mental illness and drug addiction. The study states that “In the absence of opioids habitual users will, in all likelihood, merely switch to more available drugs” (Libby 6). According to Libby …show more content…
If the media did their job, they would have come to a far different conclusion than what was reported by the Lancet. The media would have reported the truth. The truth is that according to the DEA’s own records, death by overdose on prescription narcotics alone, numbered 464. That amounts to 0.00008 percent of deaths for every 100,000 prescriptions written (Libby 7). If the media had done their jobs they would have found that prescription narcotics are not the number one killing drug in America, and they definitely would not be calling it a problem of epidemic