Dear Abby
Abigail Van Buren

Dear Abby: The letter from Dr. Michael Gorback with the Center for Pain
Relief in Houston prompts this letter.

It is not as simple as he makes it sound. Narcotics are not dangerous
merely because they cause addictive behavior or dependence. Narcotics
progressively weaken the brain physically by destroying sleep quality.

Chronic pain patients are already sleep-deprived. That is why they require
such large doses of narcotics to soothe. We must find ways to protect
restorative healing sleep for our chronically ill.

Poor sleep habits and sleep impairment are major public health problems in
our nation. Sleep deprivation causes learning disorders, disease, substance
abuse, suicide. violence, and industrial and motor vehicle accidents. We
cannot casually use medications they continue to destroy sleep quality.

EDWARD S. FIEDRICHS.
M.D., BROWN DEER, WIS.

Dear Dr. Friedrichs: Most chronic pain patients suffer sleep deprivation
because of pain, and pain medication makes a positive impact on their lives
by allowing them to sleep more comfortably. The message in Dr. Gorback’s
letter was that narcotic pain medication, when administered properly, is
restorative rather than addictive. Please read on for another letter from a
fellow physician.

Dear Abby: I enjoyed the letter you printed by Dr.,. Michael Gorback. You
responded that Dr. Gorback’s philosophy may be viewed by some as audacious;
nonetheless you thought it was sensible and logical.

Abby, 95 percent of physicians agree with Dr. Gorback. His philosophy is
not audacious at all. It is simply common sense and love for one’s fellow
human beings. The real albatross over the years has been state and federal
regulatory agencies and overzealous bureaucrats.

Any person who odes not endorse Dr. Gorback’s philosophy (simple
humanitarianism and logic) is frankly ignorant.

You have done a great service by publishing that letter. I applaud and
admire you.

- -A WISCONSIN PHYSICIAN

Dear Physician: Thank you for the supportive letter, and for the
reassurance that the majority of physicians feel as you and Dr. Gorback do.