Legal issues in pain management: striking the balance

The momentum over the past several years resulting in positive change to state pain policy is encouraging, especially as the medical community meets greater expectations from patients for appropriate pain management. As the trend for increased medical use of opioid medications continue it is important that medical professionals continue to work with government officials to ensure efforts to curb drug abuse do not impede patient access to pain management. Essential to maintaining that balance is an expansion of scholarly work supporting the medical use of opioids and promotion of research through educational activities. In 2004, the Mayday Project at ASLME will host a national conference, with an emphasis on pain management in the emergency department. The previous noted success of Mayday Project activities should give all of us hope that through scholarly activity further guidance will be provided in finding that critical balance between effective pain management and drug diversion.