what is the probability of any random, narcotic naive, regardless of family history, patient to be genetically pre-wired to be addicted to narcotics when exposed to the first dose as some addicts are known to be?  Patients discharged on narcotics 10 years ago from randomly selected hospital, how many are now addicted to narcotics through insurance diagnosis, DUI, death by overdose or excessive Rx on state data base?  How many patients die from pain?  ONLY with this data can we begin to determine the risk/ benefit ratio on patients with non terminal pain.  Without that data (and lots more), how can we lecture physicians on the safe use of narcotics?  We are not even sure narcotics give long term benefits to many patients. This makes any risk/benefit ratio even worse.  Safe prescribing of any drug requires an acceptable risk/benefit ratio.  Has the medical board really answered that answer.  Don't lecture any doctor on safe prescribing without that information.Maybe the medical board should ask the legislators if patients have the "right" to be treated by insurance companies for pain?

Pain should not be a vital sign in all charts (as a standard of cae) until these questions are answered.  Pain control should not be a "right" which every medical facility mentions when patient register to be seen.  Pain control should not be a quality measure for insurance re-imbursement. Emergency dept should not be penalized for refusing to give narcotics or tranquilizers.

Look at the legislation/regulations 10-20 years ago.  That is what created this mess.

I don't know why I wrote his since no one really cares anymore.