<p>The <em>Drug Store News </em><a href="http://drugstorenews.com/pain-management">microsite</a> designed to publicize pain management issues has met with additional success in giving a voice to those suffering with chronic pain: one of its featured patients has launched a website of his own.<br />
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Dennis Kinch has created a new <a href="http://walkforhealing.weebly.com/">Internet</a> presence to tell his story. Dennis’ insights – and those of others – are helping to educate the media, policymakers and opinion leaders about the side of the prescription drug abuse debate that has not received sufficient attention.<br />
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While much focus has been applied to cracking down on prescription pain medication diversion and abuse, the new access barriers presented to patients who need the medications for legitimate purposes have not been reported adequately. As personal stories like Dennis’ gain attention, that coverage imbalance could be mitigated.<br />
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NACDS is helping to raise awareness of the stories of pain patients, as part of the Association’s commitment to demonstrate a zero-tolerance for abuse and a parallel 100-percent commitment to patient care.<br />
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<em>For more information about NACDS’ communications initiatives related to this issue, please contact NACDS’ </em><a href="mailto:ckopple@nacds.org?subject=CEO%20Issue%20Update:%20Pain%20Communications" style="font-style: italic;">Chrissy Kopple</a><em> at 703-837-4266.</em></p>
