Letter: Patient to blame for opiate abuse
Acetaminophen reigns as one of the most popular painkillers ever, despite sometimes getting bad press. (Dec. 19, 2011)
There are doctors who didn't take to heart the Hippocratic oath and prescribe negligently and for profit ["Painkiller tracker urged," News, Feb. 1], and there are those in legitimate practice following protocol.
Sooner, rather then later, the onus is on the patient. Question: Who killed this drug addicted individual? Answer: The drug addicted individual.
Where is the logic in laying responsibility and liability for a brilliantly concealed scam at the feet of a doctor who checks databases, reviews records, screens the patient, makes the best determination he or she can regarding the patient's motive and, at some point, has to actually practice medicine?
Should the prescribing doctor next be required to follow his or her patients around town and periodically inventory their medicine cabinets?
Rosemary Olsen, Plainview
