editorial comment and less dangerous than Vioxx....

From Mr Don Aston.


Sir, Perhaps your editorial "The unwinnable war on dangerous drugs" (January 15) could also have mentioned an important and often overlooked casualty of this unwinnable war.

With specific reference to heroin (and other heroin-type opioid drugs), incalculable damage has been done to palliative care for millions of dying people, especially in the developing world, as a result of its indiscriminate demonisation in anti-drugs campaigning.

The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board recently stated that in 120 countries, including some where poppies are grown, there is little or no recorded medical use of any opioid.

Even in the developed world there is ample evidence of inadequate use of, and sometimes complete refusal to prescribe (so-called opiophobia), these drugs even though they are far and away the most effective to relieve physical pain and mental distress in terminal illness.

Don Aston, Shirley, Solihull B90 2BG, UK

back | to top | full article >>