Posted by Jane D on September 24, 2001, at 2:52:47
In reply to Re: Posting policy, posted by Dr. Bob on September 23, 2001, at 18:09:44
> > I doubt I will ever use this information to order drugs.
... As usual, I think that more information is always best.
>
> OK, but it wouldn't really directly affect your own mental health?My initial response to this was going to be along the lines that banning discussion of many things, opiates for example, would have no direct affect on me. In the end, however, as more and more topics were banned it almost certainly would. This is just another familiar abstract argument - though still a valid one.
Recently, in a more morbid state of mind, I've been able to envision just how easily this could become personal. The choice here is not always between buying overseas on your own or seeking a doctor's prescription for FDA approved meds. The choice may be between making a last ditch effort to go it alone or giving up completely. Suicide (and when will discussing that become taboo?) or just drinking yourself into oblivion will always be options. Today, the next step for me is to try another doctor. But in darker moments I'm already envisioning being 10 years older, and having tried many doctors, only to be where I am now. And I've been asking myself what comes next. Ordering my own meds is one next step, one I would feel obliged to try before giving up entirely. At that point, whether it was an effective course would be irrelevant. It would be better than the only other alternative I saw open. This may still be hypothetical but it's a future that feels very real right now. It is reassuring to know that there is one more layer of options between me and total desperation.
This doesn't address whether the information should be posted here. I know that there are other sources. Today, when I don't need it, I know I could find those sources. If I was desperate enough to need it I probably couldn't.
> I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I'm just not sure I want to be so associated with this myself.
What, specifically, bothers you about this? I don't think you have a legal exposure here but, in a direct analogy to the original argument, if the risks are yours, the decision is also yours. Morally, I think that the potential usefulness of these posts outweighs the potential risk to readers, especially since both are hypothetical. Again it's your call but I'd be interested in hearing why you choose what you do.
One thing that really does bothers me about this entire thread is that I feel the legal threats have been made to promote an entirely different, less supportable, agenda as indicated by the quotes below."No one should be that naive so assume lay people are able to ponder the medical and legal implications on this issue. How can most do this when the issues are so technical"
and "Guess we don't need health professionals, anymore (nm)"
I think both quotes fairly represent the posters positions as presented in many other posts. They suggest to me that this is really about whether people should be allowed to (and are competent to) make their own health decisions. The implications of deciding that people in general are not really does frighten me. The suggestion that I personally am not enrages me.
Jane
poster:Jane D
thread:2069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2111.html