Phew (Pain Part IV)

The Washington Post reported today on the overturning of the conviction of a doctor who was charged with being, basically, a common street hustler.

Patient and medical advocates hailed the decision. "It's about time that courts start to realize that these are doctors, not drug dealers," said Kathryn Serkes, a spokeswoman for the Arizona-based Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

Hurwitz's attorney, Marvin D. Miller, said the "good faith" argument ran to the core of Hurwitz's defense because "he believed what he was doing was helping patients with their pain."

This doesn't mean that he is out of the woods, just that he gets a new trial.

Now, you all know how I feel about the difficulties that chronic pain sufferers go through to get relief and how frustrating it is. This could be a big hallelujah, but I honestly don't know enough about the case. In fact, if he is what the prosecutors claim he is (though I know they can tend towards over zealousness with their DEA crackdowns), then fuck him because he makes it that much harder for us to get the relief we need. But if he is what the patient advocates say, then THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Doctor McLean for putting your life on the line for us.