by Carol Levy

Created on: February 14, 2008

As the author of A PAINED LIFE, a chronic pain journey, member and cofounder with Linda Misek-Falkoff of Persons With Pain International, PWPI, and a member of the U.N. NGO group, Persons With Disabilities, I believe I can speak with some level of authority.

The D.E.A., in its efforts to broaden its base of policing any and all drug use has worked to criminalize the use of narcotic pain medication for those who suffer from daily chronic, disabling pain.

Patients, many of whom have trouble moving and getting about, were able to get their narcotic prescriptions written for a year until the DEA required them to come in to the office every 6 months, at a minimum, and get new prescriptions written.

People who hurt, and hurt bad, ask their physicians for help. The doctor responds with what he knows from his education and experience. He gives the patient pain medication.

That used to be the way.

I expect my doctor to trust me as I trust him until I show by some behavior or other indication that I cannot be trusted.

That is no longer the way.

Patients in the practice where I go, if taking certain narcotics, now have to sign forms stating they will not misuse or sell their drugs for which the doctor wrote the prescription. They agree to undergo random urine tests if asked.

This is not medical practice. This is guilty until proven innocent. This is definitely not what most doctors agreed to when they took the Hippocratic Oath:

The Hippocratic Oath (edited for pertinent part. The whole is at the footnote.*)
(Modern Version)

I SWEAR in the presence of the Almighty and before my family, my teachers and my peers that according to my ability and judgment I will keep this Oath and Stipulation.

I will continue with diligence to keep abreast of advances in medicine. I will treat without exception all who seek my ministrations, so long as the treatment of others is not compromised thereby, and I will seek the counsel of particularly skilled physicians where indicated for the benefit of my patient.

I WILL FOLLOW that method of treatment which according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patient and abstain from whatever is harmful or mischievous.

Into whatever patient setting I enter, I will go for the benefit of the sick and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief or corruption and further from the seduction of any patient.

WHATEVER IN CONNECTION with my professional practice or not in connection with it I may see or hear in the lives of my patients which

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