Letters to the Editor
GlennGreenwald
Published Letters: 2221 Editor's Choice: 18
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Jim H:
[Read the article: What is the rationale behind the prescription drug laws?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Glenn Greenwald, the guy who zeroes in on the most relevant facts about everything so I'm constantly saying, "Yes, that's exactly it!" Or, "I hadn't thought of it, but how right you are," finally says something completely crazy.
I made quite clear that I am well aware of how few people agree with me on this topic. But I raised it anyway (without having as much time as I would like) because people reflexively insist that it's CRAZY to think that we should repeal laws criminalizine the use of these products without a doctor's permission, but they very rarely can articulate coherent explanations to defend their position or respond to arguments that are made. For instance:
The reason that prescriptions are mostly very necessary is because the man who's been given the power to write them has 8 or more years of training, has at least read the writeups on the drugs he prescribes, and knows dosages and so on. He knows what painkillers a heart patient needs when he breaks his knee, and how much, and how long, and how many times to renew it so the world is less littered with glassy-eyed Darvocet addicts.
This ignores every argument that has been made -
(1) The same is true for lawyers and all of their schooling, yet people in legal situations - EVEN WHEN THEIR LIVES OR LIBERTY ARE ENDANGERED -- still have the right to ignore the advice of a lawyer and make their own decisions, including stupid decisions that can destroy their lives. What is the difference?
(2) Nobody is arguing that doctors should be abolished. Anyone who wants to - like you - could still only take pills that they tell you to take. But others have the right - just like they do with lawyers, or with a whole series of far more dangerous activities (what's more dangerous - hang-gliding, or taking some Ambien?) to make their own choices about whether to obey doctors.
(3) If someone takes a pill that the Government has said they are not allowed to take without a doctor's permission, then, under the laws you like, they become a criminal and can be imprisoned. What an odd way to treat someone whom you claim you are trying to protect from harm.
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Kovie:
[Read the article: What is the rationale behind the prescription drug laws?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You (and several others) have made very good points that I want to address but just don't have the time to now. I will a little later today.