Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jul 2005
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Sy Lutto
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)

LIMBAUGH SHOULD WORK TO FREE JAILED FLORIDIAN

The John Tierney column, "Punishing pain: Victory in the drug war" 
(July 21) tellingly recounted the plight of Richard Paey, a 
wheelchair-bound, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain victim who is 
serving a 25- year sentence in Florida for obtaining prescription 
drugs to relieve his pain.

It is surprising, however, that no mention was made of the similar 
drug troubles of talk-show star Rush Limbaugh, who feels that he is 
the victim of heavy-handed law enforcement abuse because of a 
prolonged inquiry into his obtaining of prescription painkillers. I 
would hope Mr. Limbaugh would join, and even lead, in a campaign to 
free Paey. I would hope that Paey's case would get as much media 
coverage as Mr. Limbaugh's has.

The fight against drug abuse should be conducted as a public health 
treatment issue, since the law enforcement and punishment approach 
has been an abject failure.

Sy Lutto

West Palm Beach
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