Include persons disabled by pain in decisions that impact our quality of life

The recent regulations to pain control medications have created incredible distress, loss of productivity, and a markedly increased risk of suicide for individuals in severe or chronic pain. Individuals using pain medication properly do not have an addiction, and chronic pain can be caused by injury or by congenital conditions with no cure (e.g. sickle cell, collagen disorders, etc). Pain must be recognized as a valid medical condition and doctors must be able to use their discretion in all forms of its treatment without fear of recourse. We request that the government include those disabled by pain in decisions that impact our quality of life, and that the government give equal consideration to those who live with chronic pain and those who live with addiction to any substance.