Our Views

I read a very moving article today about the millions of people around the world who suffer pain daily because they don’t have access to painkillers – specifically, morphine.  I’ll be honest, my immediate reaction when I saw the headline was “What are the drug companies up to now?” But, as I read further, I found that this was not just another ploy to sell drugs: it is a heartbreaking story about Sierra Leone, a country that has had such severe problems with drug abuse and addiction in the past that even those suffering from the severe pain of late-stage cancer cannot get relief. The fear is that once morphine, or painkillers of similar strength, are made available the country will once again be awash with people needing drug addiction help.

While it is true that morphine can be prescribed by doctors, and prescriptions filled by pharmacists, access to doctors is almost impossible. Sierra Leone has one doctor for every 54,000 people. In the U.S. we have one for every 350. The affluent have access to these doctors, but not the very poor majority.

Critics can’t understand why officials think this is acceptable. They feel that if someone does get addicted, you can get them help through drug detox and rehab – if they recover. But some of the conditions are so severe dying with dignity is the best that can be hoped for.

Obviously, I’m not an advocate of drugs. Every day I write about the disastrous effects they create and the desperate need for effective drug detox and rehab. But, really, this is taking it too far. No one should have to suffer like the people of Sierra Leone. First, they need drugs, then they can get drug addiction help.

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