Pain Clinics: Solution or Addiction?

Tampa, FL - So often in life we have seen the solution to a particular
problem become the problem. Such is the case with some of Pinellas
county’s pain clinics. In this case a perfectly valid need for those in
pain has been answered by a solution that has created much community
hardship and loss.

Experts contend that some of these clinics are merely “pill mills,” a
place for drug addicts and pushers to get their pills, with crime and
unrest in the community ensuing.

Currently there is considerable controversy with advocates weighing in on
both sides of the pain clinic argument. Proponents suggest that to close
such clinics would harm those who legitimately need the help, critics
counter that the certain crime increase and resultant financial hardship to
the surrounding communities demands more scrutiny and regulation. The
Pinellas County Commission has considered a moratorium of 180 days or more
on new clinics to try and stem the tide of illegal drugs entering the
market.

According to Sheriff’s captain Robert Alfonso, who oversees prescription
investigations, Pinellas county led the state in 2008 with 376 prescription
drug deaths and a soon to be released total for 2009, should indicate more
than 400 deaths,. In addition, a 2008 investigation by the St. Petersburg
times revealed that prescription drugs killed approximately 3 times more
people than illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroine.

While this controversy may continue for some time into the future, missing
from this argument of whether to allow more pain clinics to open or not is
the unasked question, is there another solution to pain other than drugs?
Some would tell you so. Perhaps it’s time we investigated all possible
solutions.

Any drug legalization must be examined for all the effects it creates, not
just the short-range benefits. Any person wishing to get the full story on
painkillers can get the facts at www.drugfreeworld.org.

And for the person whose drug use has turned into a drug problem, there
are also real solutions to addiction. Narconon, a drug rehabilitation
program that utilizes the methods of L. Ron Hubbard, has a success rate of
more than 75%. For more information on this drug-free method of substance
abuse treatment, visit www.narconon.org.