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Letter to Montana Sen. Max Baucus Clarifying PRN’s Petition Calling for Congressional Hearings into DEA Practices and Outcomes

 
Gregg Wilkinson, Pain Relief Network Representative; 2005-07-11. Posted: 2005-07-11; Modified: 2005-12-17
[Identifier:  http://www.doctordeluca.com/Library/WOD/WpsBillings/Billings-GW2Baucus05.htm]
[Related resources:  http://www.doctordeluca.com/Library/LibPages/WODjournalism-lib.htm]
 
See also:
WAR ON PAIN SUFFERERS #1: Montana, 2005 - The War on Sick People
 

[Full Text of this Article in PDF/print format]

To:      Senator Max Baucus
From: Gregg Wilkinson
RE:     Petition Clarification
Date:  Hand delivered by Greg Wilkinson, July 11, 2005

Dear Senator Baucus,

I believe there may be a misunderstanding between your office and our organization. We were not requesting that your office intervene in the investigation of Dr. Richard A. Nelson, we were requesting that your office call for a hearing into the practices of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) actions against Montana (and all of the United States) patients and their doctors.

On July 8, 2005, we delivered an additional 289 signatures, along with a copy of the first Petition, which brings the total to 323 Montana citizens requesting a Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into the Drug Enforcement Administration's interference with patients receiving healthcare in Montana.

The voters concerns are legitimate and heartfelt, and there is substantial support for our request. I am enclosing a document which was signed by thirty-two States' Attorney Generals on March 21, 2005, and was sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, by the National Association of Attorneys General in Washington, DC. The voters concerns are basically outlined within this document and are conveniently typed in bold by its authors. Clearly, the DEA is "Out of control." This letter is scathing, and it reads like it was written specifically for Montana! Doctors are afraid if they prescribe "adequate" levels of controlled substances to patients, that they will be investigated, or actions will be undertaken against them. The scare tactics of the DEA are discouraging doctors from giving adequate treatment to their own patients for the management of their pain.

Recently, these anonymous 'patients' that the state AG's refer to, became our own state citizens: our mothers, our fathers, our children; your voters. Now, in the face of pain and nowhere to turn, we're taking to the streets, to sign this Petition and get it where it belongs, in your hands, and, ultimately, to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

I am one of these patients. I can assure you that being in pain and knocking on doors, is the last thing these people need. We would like to know if your office is still requiring us to do more, or if 323 signatures is enough? We have concern that staying the current course will only prolong already poor health conditions for Montana citizens, and further injure the volunteers that are seeking signatures. I'm sure you understand our predicament. Please let us know, as soon as possible, what your requirements are? We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance,

Sincerely,

Gregg Wilkinson
PRN Representative

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