Opioid Epidemic

Sketch6995

According to the article they will just call the cops unless it's some huge amount

jd50ae

You would think pot was legal around here. My stepson has pointed out a bunch of grows that people have made little or no effort to hide.

0patience

Our s h i t t y little town has made it illegal to have a shop in the city limits that sells pot.
Meanwhile, the adjacent towns are making bank on pot shops.
Geniuses.  

jd50ae

Cannabis-infused coffee: Will it go mainstream?

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5823388845001/?#sp=show-clips

Go team.

Sketch6995

I had an older woman from wyoming that took my oil.  The doctors said surgery wasnt an option.  After 18 months the tumor was reduced by half and she had gained 40 lbs.
They removed the last of it and shes been cancer free for 3 years.

http://ehealthdigest.org/2018/09/22/harvard-university-finds-cannabis-cuts-tumor-growth-in-half-in-three-weeks/

Sketch6995

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/24/business/marijuana-legalization-police-dogs.html?action=click&module=Top Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Sketch6995

I have a patient with end stage cystic fibrosis.  He isnt even 30 yet, he fights for every breath he takes.  He is in massive pain that not even Morphine can control.  He was sent home by his doctor to prepare for the "End".  He is delusional most of the day, yet has what alcoholics refer to as a moments of clarity.
During those moments, he begs me to help him end his life.
I could very easily get enough fentanyl to kill a herd of elephants......but I dont know what the right thing to do is.
I want to help, but I'm not sure I should.

What is the difference between "Right" and "Good"?

What would you do?

dirtdude

That's a tough call brother,  no known cure for cystic fibrosis.

silvermouse

That's a decision I could do without. Good luck, Jeff, figuring out what to do. Too bad your client didn't prepare before becoming delusional. My father-in-law had a stash of pills that he eventually used to end his life when his health was bad. I'm not against physician assisted suicide if there are safeguards and it doesn't end up with the physician getting charged with murder.... The law needs to change.

genareddog

In my opinion your patient is putting you in a lose lose situation and wants you to play God. In your heart I am sure you are wanting to do everything possible to help him so he is not in any pain. I am a Christian and I believe everything happens for a reason we just don’t know why. God will comfort him. Prayers to your patient and to you brother.

jd50ae

I have thought about being prepared.
I could never ask, unless I lived in a state where doctor assisted suicide is legal. At that point in time is it really suicide?
The laws have to change so people of conscience are not put in your position.
I also have a living will.

Hawkeye

In my mind that is still suicide since it was your decision.  Same as jumping off a building - it's not the jump that kills you.

Having said that, I think that doctor assisted suicide should be legal.  If someone is in enough pain to want that, why make them suffer?

jd50ae

Frustrated opioid patients speak out: 'I now buy heroin on the street'

https://www.foxnews.com/health/readers-respond-to-special-report-about-the-opioid-crisis-unintended-victims-pain-sufferers-losing-access-to-painkillers

Sketch6995

There are always victims like that.   It's the people that really need them that suffer the most from the war on drugs.
That's really sad.

jd50ae

Hi James,

We’ve made history!

 

Today, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, making hemp completely and permanently federally legal for the first time in over 40 years.

 

We would like to offer our most sincere gratitude to the incredible leaders and organizations in the hemp industry that have led the charge. This includes our colleagues at the U.S Hemp Roundtable as well as our friends with the National Hemp Association, the Hemp Industries Association, Hemp History Week, and VoteHemp. These organizations have all demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pushing forward hemp legalization, and this day truly would not have come without them.  

To think it was made illegal so William Randolph Hearst could make money on paper products from trees.

Diver43

Sketch6995 said:

I have a patient with end stage cystic fibrosis.  He isnt even 30 yet, he fights for every breath he takes.  He is in massive pain that not even Morphine can control.  He was sent home by his doctor to prepare for the "End".  He is delusional most of the day, yet has what alcoholics refer to as a moments of clarity.
During those moments, he begs me to help him end his life.
I could very easily get enough fentanyl to kill a herd of elephants......but I dont know what the right thing to do is.
I want to help, but I'm not sure I should.

What is the difference between "Right" and "Good"?

What would you do?

Gosh, that is a tough one.  A couple days ago my son called, he told me that he had to put his 14 year old dog down she had cancer and would be in major pain for whatever time she had remaining. Putting her to sleep was the right thing to do for her.  Pets are loved ones also, right?
RIP Jewls.

Sleddog46

I was just going to say the same thing as @Diver43 said. I had to put down my dog a few weeks ago. Why is it you can put a beloved pet out of pain but we let people suffer in such a horrible quality of life when they are at the end anyway. Jeff, I know what you want to do in your heart but you have to be willing to face the consequences that could follow. I wish there was an easy answer to your question, but there really is no answer. Each individual has to make that decision for themselves. Sorry Brother that you're in such a spot. Hopefully God will take him soon.

jlmarta

jd50ae said:

Hi James,

We’ve made history!

 

Today, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law, making hemp completely and permanently federally legal for the first time in over 40 years.

 

We would like to offer our most sincere gratitude to the incredible leaders and organizations in the hemp industry that have led the charge. This includes our colleagues at the U.S Hemp Roundtable as well as our friends with the National Hemp Association, the Hemp Industries Association, Hemp History Week, and VoteHemp. These organizations have all demonstrated an unwavering commitment to pushing forward hemp legalization, and this day truly would not have come without them.  

To think it was made illegal so William Randolph Hearst could make money on paper products from trees.

I’m admittedly ignorant when it comes to signing something into law. I get that this farm bill has been signed into law but exactly when does it go into effect?  I can’t seem to find anything on this point. 

Some bills get signed into law and take effect immediately. Others don’t take effect until some future date such as January 1, 2019 or some other arbitrary date. Can someone clear this up for me?

Amos_Umwhat

Not spot-on-topic, but much of this thread hasn't been, and still tangentially related.

I just saw that actor Tom Sizemore is reported as having been arrested with Meth and Xanax.  

He's a grown man!  For goodness sake, what would possess a grown man to do meth, and / or Xanax?!  I know, the Xanax is for when you crash after the meth, etc.  But seriously, how stupid is that?  

Meth!  

"Hey, I know!  I'm gonna fry my lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and brains all at once so I can experience the 'high' of grinding my teeth and feeling my heart pound while I shake like a dog shytting razor-blades.  How cool is that?"

Sheesh.

Sketch6995

@Amos_Umwhat

 I bet he felt like a shaken up bottle of champagne with the court half way out.
  

peter4jc

Doctor-assisted suicide is such a sticky wicket, and I don't envy you, Jeff.  I don't think it was fair that your friend put you into this position, even though you can't blame him.  My gut feeling is to avoid doing what he's asking, mainly because there's no way to undo that action and there's no way to predict the outcomes of it; you may not have any legal ramifications but find that in hindsight it was a mistake and then you'd have to live with what you did the rest of your days.

To answer @Sleddog46's question about pet vs. humans, why one is acceptable and not the other...  God gave humans dominion over the animals, to be stewards/managers/caretakers of them, but not so over other humans - that dominion resides only with Him.

I will pray for wisdom for you Jeff, and for a graceful passing for your friend.

jd50ae

Painkillers for dogs, cats may be worsening human opioid crisis: study

https://www.foxnews.com/health/painkillers-for-dogs-cats-may-be-worsening-human-opioid-crisis-study

So now my dogs will have to suffer.

jd50ae

If you are looking for a new doctor.
And you call them to inquire.
What is the first thing out of their mouths?
Before any introductions.
Before any questions.
"we do not prescribe pain meds."

Amos_Umwhat

It's the new bogeyman.  Everyone wants to be known as one of the persecutors of the new bogeyman.  Oldest trick in the book.  Convince people that there's something, someone, some trend, some fashion, some race, some religion that's going to destroy them, and that BIG GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS is the ONLY way to overcome this demonic force.  

And so, the Communists built the Iron Curtain to keep westerners from over-running "The Workers Paradise", Republicans "need" a wall to keep out the hordes from the south of the border.   Democrats are addicted to hating Donald Trump.  Protestants  "need" to keep the Catholics in check in Belfast, where the Catholics "need" to rid The Emerald Isle of the bloody Prots., even though they're all from the exact same gene pool, just like the Palestinians and Israelis.  Because by and large we're all addicted to hate.

"We" are always good, and normal.  "They" are always evil and malevolent.

America has an addiction problem.  That's a gross understatement, America actually has a problem with addictions.  Multiple.  We get addicted to all sorts of stuff.  Walk around through any major chain store.  See any food addicts?  Can you see around them?  30 year-olds with no major problems other than laziness riding in those scooters for the handicapped?  You bet.  Know anyone who "can't" drink water, because they have to have a Coke, (or other brand beverage). 

And the politicians will try to capitalize with bans on 64 oz soft drinks, or other moronic measures.  Every time they do this they create new markets that expand things like drug use.  Hell, we have people addicted to Oprah, or Kim, or FOX NEWS.  Do they try to ban these?  YES, remember Elvis?  The Beatles?  The government tried to ban or block their music, how'd that work out?  

I guess that's why they never try to put a stop to the biggest baddest most dangerous addictions that face us.  The addictions to money and power.  Talk about some freedom destroyers!  Those are the real perils.  

Patrickbrick

"Marijuana, marijuana, you're in here for marijuana? (I used to suck **** for coke) you ever suck **** for marijuana?  (No) Boo this man!"

12Ultralimited

I consider myself lucky. I was clean before opioids became as widespread as they are now. I get nervous when I have had to take something for pain for various medical reasons. They still are, in some cases, the best option for pain management. Not nearly as often as prescribed, but still. I have taken them and was eager to get off them - because I know myself. The genetic component mentioned in earlier posts? It's right here, in full effect. Never had the "opportunity" to try heroin back in the day and I am forever grateful for that! I am sure I would have loved it. (for awhile)
Coke? I didn't really like it.... just the smell of it.
I personally can't consume THC anymore. I have nor problem with responsible use of it and strongly believe it should be studied and available for medical use more than it is now. 

Not for me. 
I would NOT use it responsibly.

Back to opioids, I've known more than a few people who ended up in jail/prison for heroin related crimes. Their stories often began with: "I got hurt doing_______ and ended up taking more and more until I realized I could get heroin on the streets cheaper than the pills.
Very sad and powerful stuff.

My girlfriend works at a medical clinic and the patients who are on daily pain meds often get drug tested to make sure they ARE on drugs. Too many people are faking injuries to get a script and then sell the pills for cash. Crazy.

Sorry for the ramble,

Be safe, my friends.

silvermouse

what 12Ultralimited said.

jd50ae

Then there are those honest folk who the law really affects, because the laws are for honest people. Through no fault of their own they have to suffer because of thugs, crooked pill mills, over prescribing quacks and politicians who by definition have no idea what they are doing. Don't arrest the crooks, punish the honest people.