The downward spiral of too many Massachusetts overdose victims started with a legal prescription painkiller. Narcotics like morphine, Vicodin, and OxyContin play an important role in treating severe pain. But with such great risk for addiction and abuse, they also need to be carefully regulated - which is why Beacon Hill should put aside objections from some doctors and embrace legislation to step up drug monitoring in the Commonwealth.

Comments

aferr

02/08/2012 07:24 AM

This is all well and good but you will not make a dent in the problem until something is done about Florida, the source of most of the illicit prescription narcotics in MA. Until that state cracks down on its so called "Pain Clinics" that are as common in that state as convenience stores efforts in MA will have minimal effect.