Letter: Unscrupulous docs overprescribe
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I believe the letter "Patient is responsible for opiate abuse" [Feb. 6] is missing the point. Obviously no one expects a doctor to follow his or her patients around town and periodically inventory their medicine cabinets.
Yes, individuals are responsible for their addictions, but unfortunately, there are some unsavory and unethical doctors practicing medicine. All too often, I have heard friends or aquaintances tell me that they have found prescription bottles in their children's possession, and many of these prescriptions are for 200 or more opiate pills. Now I ask you, what legitimate doctor would prescribe such a quantity each month for any patient?
I have undergone surgeries and have never had a doctor prescribe anywhere near that quantity for me. In my book, only a quack would do so.
June M. Harris, Huntington
