December 16, 2003 Press Release Painreliefnetwork.org

Pain Patients and their supporters are gathering on the Independence Avenue Steps of the Rayburn House Office Building at 11:00am to decry the U.S. Government’s War On Pain Doctors. Citing a public health catastrophe for Americans in pain, The Virginia Chapter of the National Pain Patients Coalition is calling for the Department of Justice to drop its charges against Cecil Knox, MD Roanoke, VA.

“Dr. Knox is innocent and my mom is innocent, as are everybody they charged. We already beat them once! The Government needs to admit it was wrong and let us have our lives back” proclaims Brittany Boone, (15) daughter of defendant Beverly Boone and advocate for compassionate care. “We are marching on Washington April 18th to the 20th to demand Congressional hearings into this nightmare. The Government is supposed to protect and serve us, not attack us.”

Following the rally, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons is holding Congressional Briefings into the Politics of Pain Care at 12:00 noon featuring:

Ronald T. Libby, PhD. Professor, University of North Florida DEA investigation initiatives & funding sources

Rev. Ronald Myers, Sr., M.D. Founder, President, American Pain Institute Effects on African-American community

James Martin President, 60 Plus Association Seniors’ & end-of-life concerns

Julie Stewart Families against Mandatory Minimums

William Hurwitz, M.D. Indicted pain management specialist-McLean, VA “Deserving” vs. “undeserving” patients?

Jane M. Orient, M.D. Clinical lecturer, University of AZ Executive Director, AAPS Opioid-phobia & reluctance to treat patients

Siobhan Reynolds Founder & President, Pain Relief Network Impact on families & economic issues

DEA Diversion Program (Invited)

Moderator: Kathryn Serkes President, Square One Media Network

More than 48 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. Recent high-profile news stories about the under treatment of pain have placed the issue on the front pages, including a debate over dependency vs. addiction, who is “deserving” and who is “undeserving,” of opioid treatment, and whether pain patients should be subjected to different standards of personal scrutiny than others.

The DEA claims drug diversion has reached crisis proportions, justifying increased investigative initiatives that frequently circumvent the Congressional appropriations process. Physicians are prosecuted and imprisoned, and patients sentenced based on pill counts.

Medical research and treatment has made tremendous advances in pain management, but is public policy keeping up? And is law enforcement discouraging patient access to treatment as a result of prosecution of physicians under the Controlled Substances Act? This distinguished panel will examine the current state of pain management, law enforcement initiatives, patient experiences, economic impact of untreated pain, funding sources, sentencing guidelines, H.R. 3015 prescription drug database act, and solutions for cooperation between lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement and the medical community.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003 B-338 Rayburn House Office Building 12 Noon - 1:30 pm (luncheon served)