Would it surprise you to know that this letter to the editor was the primary evidence cited as “research” by Purdue Pharma and others to support their false claims that Opioids, specifically Oxycontin, were not addictive? It is estimated the Opioid epidemic led to 450,000 deaths in the last 20 years. Many other researchers and authors went on to quote this original letter as research/evidence.
Here are some quotes from articles published during that time:
“This pain population with no abuse history is literally at no risk for addiction.” Reference: Kowal, N. (1998). What is the issue? Pseudoaddiction or undertreatment of pain. Nursing Economics, 17(6), 348–349.
“In truth, however, the medical evidence overwhelmingly indicates that properly administered opioid therapy rarely if ever results in "accidental addiction" or "opioid abuse”. Reference: Libby, R. T. (2006). Treating doctors as drug dealers: The Drug Enforcement Administration’s war on prescription painkillers. The Independent Review, 10(4), 511–545.
“Fear of addiction may lead to reluctance by the physician to prescribe. […] However, there is no evidence that this occurs when prescribing opioids for pain.” Reference: Iles, S., Catterall, J. R., & Hanks, G. (2002). Use of opioid analgesics in a patient with chronic abdominal pain. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 56(3), 227–228.
Watch the Docudrama Trailer “Dopesick”
Disclaimer – 🎬 Great trailer for context. 📊 Not great evidence. We’ll stick to appraised research for practice decisions.
REFERENCES
References to be noted in this section:
Porter, J., & Jick, H. (1980). Addiction rare in patients treated with narcotics. The New England Journal of Medicine, 302(2), 123. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198001103020221 We can obtain the pdf or copy of pic that is in Module 1 folder Leung, P. T. M., Macdonald, E. M., Stanbrook, M. B., Dhalla, I. A., & Juurlink, D. N. (2017). A 1980 letter on the risk of opioid addiction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(22), 2194– 2195. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1700150
Now it's time to quick write. Post your quick write reply to our discussion board below.
Where in your practice would a misread piece of evidence be most dangerous?
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Transcript
Engage Activity
NUR5040 | Module 1
Start
Would it surprise you to know that this letter to the editor was the primary evidence cited as “research” by Purdue Pharma and others to support their false claims that Opioids, specifically Oxycontin, were not addictive? It is estimated the Opioid epidemic led to 450,000 deaths in the last 20 years. Many other researchers and authors went on to quote this original letter as research/evidence.
Here are some quotes from articles published during that time:
“This pain population with no abuse history is literally at no risk for addiction.” Reference: Kowal, N. (1998). What is the issue? Pseudoaddiction or undertreatment of pain. Nursing Economics, 17(6), 348–349.
“In truth, however, the medical evidence overwhelmingly indicates that properly administered opioid therapy rarely if ever results in "accidental addiction" or "opioid abuse”. Reference: Libby, R. T. (2006). Treating doctors as drug dealers: The Drug Enforcement Administration’s war on prescription painkillers. The Independent Review, 10(4), 511–545.
“Fear of addiction may lead to reluctance by the physician to prescribe. […] However, there is no evidence that this occurs when prescribing opioids for pain.” Reference: Iles, S., Catterall, J. R., & Hanks, G. (2002). Use of opioid analgesics in a patient with chronic abdominal pain. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 56(3), 227–228.
Watch the Docudrama Trailer “Dopesick”
Disclaimer – 🎬 Great trailer for context. 📊 Not great evidence. We’ll stick to appraised research for practice decisions.
REFERENCES
References to be noted in this section:
Porter, J., & Jick, H. (1980). Addiction rare in patients treated with narcotics. The New England Journal of Medicine, 302(2), 123. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198001103020221 We can obtain the pdf or copy of pic that is in Module 1 folder Leung, P. T. M., Macdonald, E. M., Stanbrook, M. B., Dhalla, I. A., & Juurlink, D. N. (2017). A 1980 letter on the risk of opioid addiction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(22), 2194– 2195. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1700150
Now it's time to quick write. Post your quick write reply to our discussion board below.
Where in your practice would a misread piece of evidence be most dangerous?
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