[zencat]

Almost completely right with the exception of: "Rush’s real crime was becoming addicted to pain-medication."

1. It's not a crime to be addicted.
2. He started on it legitimately for back pain.

That said, he's already admitted it was wrong to continue to use it, particularly in the quantity he was using which constitutes abuse.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I don't think that the state offering his source immunity for turning evidence against him the buyer makes sense. Some WOD.

[aruanan]

That said, he's already admitted it was wrong to continue to use it, particularly in the quantity he was using which constitutes abuse.

Not really. Abuse of a drug lies entirely in taking it for pleasure for no medically valid reason (sort of like enjoying a glass of wine or a good single malt whiskey). Having to take increasing quantities of a drug to provide the same level of pain relief is simply a physiological reality, not abuse or misuse. I speak as a post-doctoral fellow in the field of neurobiology/pharmacology.

[buffyt]

There was an article in Reader's Digest a year or so ago that said over two million Americans are addicted to prescription pain pills. I could use some, I have RA and I am in constant pain. I would take someone else's pain pills if I had some. I am on Rush's side. You don't know what chronic pain is until you have it. And when it is in your back, that is the WORST kind of chronic pain. My cousin has had several back surgeries. I know....