Although I have been a member of the club for little more than a year, last night night was the 1st meeting I was able to attend. I felt very welcome and I'm hoping to get to some of club rides to get to know some of the members better this year. On to the subject. Pat's (didn't get his last name) report regarding punishment for the driver that killed the cyclist in Rocky Point hit home. I came across the remnants of the accident scene while walking my dog and often wondered about the outcome of the driver not to mention the cyclist's loved ones. When I found out the driver got 1 1/2 years for "good behavior" my vomit reflex was nearly triggered at the meeting. I had to go out to the pharmacy last night for my son around 10 PM and felt unsafe there (it was in a safe neighborhood) due to recent events.
While I agree that the DA needs to be lobbied about more appropriate punishment a crime like this deserves, I wonder if other parties should share the responsibility. At the bottom of my hold accountable list is the Pharmacist who fills these perscriptions. Did the patient have a full understanding of the effects of this medication? Did he ask her for a verbal "yes" after he explained them to her or was a scribble on the electronic thingymabob on the counter his minimal requirement and final release of culpability? I understand it wouldn't be his place to question the customer's need for this type of medication but if the pharmacy is profiting from the sales of them, than I feel they should also share some of the responsibility of their use.
Next up the list is the prescribing Doctor. These miracle pain medications along with their abuses seem to be approaching epidemic levels throughout the country. Maybe they should carefully consider their patient before writing out the perscription. Do they really spend enough tiime with the patient to evaluate their level of pain? Maybe a more thorough followup after the intial prescption is warranted before refills are approved could lower the addiction rate. The top of my list is shared. The pharmaceutical company that makes these wonder drugs. Surely they must know of their skyrocketing sales. Their representatives shower doctors with lunches, gifts, dinners, show tickets etc to encourage the pushing of these drugs to meet their sales objectives. What about the FDA who approves these drugs knowing their addictive qualities? Shouldn't guidelines be put in place to monitor pharmacies that dispence an inordinate amount of these pills? And finally law enforcement. They had an idea of a problem at the Medford pharmacy before the events on Father's Day unfolded with regard to quantities of those types of medications.
I feel prevention of the tragedy before it happens needs be addressed along with severe punishment to all who abuse, recklessly prescribe or illegally sell these medicines.
Thanks for listening,
John Collesdis,
'88 Trek 400T
'04 Trek 6700