When Cops Play Doctor: How the drug war punishes pain patients

The steady stream of celebrity stories about prescription drug abuse makes Americans keenly aware of the dangers of overdosing on medications like OxyContin and Vicodin. And from President Obama's Drug Czar to California Attorney General Jerry Brown, politicians are calling for greater power to monitor doctor-patient relationships in order to fight the "epidemic" of prescription drug overdosing.

But maybe the real epidemic is underdosing. Countless Americans suffer with severe chronic pain because doctors are afraid to treat them properly.

Michael Jackson's death unleashed a flurry of media stories about all aspects of the pop star's life, including his alleged prescription drug abuse. On the same day countless millions watched Jackson's star-studded memorial service, reason.tv interviewed another musician.

Seán Clarke-Redmond, a man who enjoyed an active live before the neurodegenerative disease ALS, often referred to as Lou Gerig's disease, rendered him nearly immobile—he can no longer even play the piano.

The disease also left him in almost constant pain. Redmond is prescribed some medication, but not nearly enough to keep his pain under control. Dr. Frank Fisher says Redmond's case is an appallingly common one.

"Chronic pain in America is an enormously under treated disease," says Fisher, a Harvard-trained physician. "It's a public health disaster."

Pain specialists like Fisher and patients' groups like the Pain Relief Network battle law enforcement officials who are forever on the lookout for "pill mills" and patients who misuse pain medicine. Fisher notes that the same medications so often associated with celebrity addiction are the same medications that combat pain most effectively.

Fisher has treated his patients with high doses of opioids-that is, until a swat team raided his clinic and threw him behind bars.

"They were trying to give me 256 years to life," says Fisher who argues that fear of prosecution often prevents doctors from treating chronic pain patients effectively.

What allows doctors' medical decisions to be overruled by police?

"What we're dealing with is a mass insanity," says Fisher. "We call it the war on drugs."

"When Cops Play Doctor" is written and produced by Ted Balaker and hosted by Nick Gillespie. Director of Photography is Alex Manning, Associate Producers are Hawk Jensen and Paul Detrick.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• drug war
• DEA. doctors
• pain
• medication
• healthcare
• michael jackson
• celebrity
• reason.tv
• oxycontin
• opiods

[putittogether]

You have to be a special kind of EVIL to be a drug war cop. Its takes a heartless, freedom hating, to bit thug. I have nothing hatred and disgust for the DEA.

[saletious]

I have had 90% of the bones in my body broken (road side bomb) How can you say this without thinking it through? Because of YOUR lack of self control, I and thousands like me should suffer!?! But actually by reading your post and your excellent grammer and spelling it's obvious that your problems are greater than pain killer addiction.

[grbgeslnger23]

my mom suffers with spina bifida and her doctor told her to go home and take asprin

[busterhyman21]

well we all need to make sacrifices to protect our nations beleved pop stars and cultural icons.

i suffer also from chronic pain, but i could'nt bare to lose another micheal jackson

[killyoubitch27]

let sue the DEA.

[Shonenut213]

The DEA makes me sick!

[haikuoflife]

I have found it near impossible to get treated for my chronic debilitating pain because doctors are scared to write a script for them. They will hand out muscle relaxants (which make it worse) and other things that aren't worth a darn to help with the pain. I've asked the doctors why they are so hesitant, and it's because if they write too many the DEA ask them WHY and they get scared...

[pookashell21]

@bigdogsix2

FYI internists DO NOT treat chronic pain. I see a pain doc bc I have a CP condition for which there is no cure. I see a CP doctor who is an expert in treating CP specifically. He is in no way a drug pusher and does far more than just rx'ing pain meds. Pain docs are needed bc they have the expertise/understanding to treat complex pain conditions. Reg docs can treat acute pain well but CP is different beast & requires docs specialize in its treatment. Please do your research.

[cdoftx]

Legalize everything and treat people with problems. No honest person should suffer because of other people's problems. Throwing addicts in jail for 5 years isn't exactly a compassionate and cost effective way of dealing with things either.

[tampabayismyhome]

The system we live in is so messed up. Honestly this isn't the land of the free anymore. These fuckers on Capitol Hill need to be voted out. They think they know what's best for the masses and treat us like cattle they don't realize everyone is different and have different needs. If opioid are banned its going to affect them and then they will realize that opiates do play a purpose when they are in need of pain relief from cancer and other stuff

[Butown]

jesus that guy should just get a new pm doctor...geez

[urajokeMC]

sces it..too hard to txt my response. But hope ya get the point