VOICES THURSDAY, Feb.

21, 2008
www.postindependent.com 8

Fed up with the FDA

I’m not quite sure I HIV/AIDS, and glau-
trust the FDA. Their coma patients.
purpose is supposed to I am limited by
be protection of all of space here, but would
the American citizenry like to list one more
against drugs on the recent, completely
market. The Food and atrocious and horrific
Drug Administration example of ineptitude
(FDA) is an agency of by the FDA. This is
the United States completely aside from
Department of Health
A SIDE OF Thalidomide, Vioxx,
and Human Services. BLATHER Avandia, Aspartame,
I remember reading Christopher and Orobilix.
about something that Mullally This involves the
initially made me suspi- drug Trasylol, made by
cious a couple of years Bayer, which is used to
ago, the FDA deliberately took stop bleeding during open-heart
steps to hide information regard- surgery. It had been given to as
ing foods that could be benefi- many as a third of all heart bypass
cial. The Cherry Growers Associ- patients in the United States at
ation did some double-blind, the height of its use over a period
placebo-controlled studies that of many years, according to a
showed that tart cherries had report by Dr. Dennis Mangano.
pain-killing qualities, and fur- This same doctor who pub-
thermore, “Tart cherries may lished his study in January 2006,
reduce the risk of colon cancer which was confirmed by Ger-
because of the anthocyanins and man drug makers, said that
cyanidin contained in the cher- about 22,000 lives could have
ry.” So then, with a lack of inno- been saved if the drug was
vative ways to sell cherries, they recalled when his study was
published the studies in peer- released. But it wasn’t. His study
reviewed journals and began to linked this drug to kidney failure YOUR LETTERS
use this new and groundbreak- requiring dialysis and increased
ing, and potentially lifesaving morbidity and mortality.
information to market them. My question is, how was this
Supporting former Coach Cox Supporting Coal Ridge High
Personally, I fail to see drug even allowed I am writing this letter in support of coach We are extremely proud to be active student
how this could be on the market? Mike Cox. I have come to know Mike over the athletes at Coal Ridge.
anything but benefi-
Now, I don’t Doesn’t the FDA do last two years through coaching clinics and play- With only being in existence for three years,
cial to the consumer. blame the its own risk assess- er skills clinics. I am impressed with his tireless we’re still figuring things out and working to be
The FDA and its ment and studies on effort and passion for kids/youth and the game one of the greater schools (in which we are well on
draconian mandates
FDA for the drugs submit- of basketball. But what is even more impressive our way).
did not like this at all. everything, I ted, or does it just go is his commitment to develop not only the play- We feel it’s outlandishly unfair for our school to
They banned this on the word of the er, but the person. I most recently witnessed this be targeted and compared to other established
information from
just find pharmaceutical in action by how his varsity players (those that high schools.
appearing on the preventable manufacturers? I were there) conducted themselves at the skills We know the “problem player” and his family
company’s websites certainly hope they clinic my 10-year-old son attended in early Jan- personally. He is honest and respectful; his par-
and sent out 29 warn- deaths don’t still assume uary. They interacted with all the kids in a car- ents are good, kind-hearted people who hold their
ing letters to compa- especially drug dealers are ing, polite and engaging manner. son very accountable for his actions.
nies that market reliable sources of I have also been to several Coal Ridge home It is quite unfair for those of you who are judg-
cherries. It even heartbreaking. information. (Ciga- games over the last two years, and have watched ing this family and personally attacking them;
threatened to raid rettes are good for coach Cox’s interaction and rapport with his you should all be ashamed. Do you know what
orchards of growers who mar- you, remember? Doctor recom- players. He is always coaching, teaching and this is doing to them? How it is making them
keted using this information. mended and all that?) encouraging his players even in high-stress feel when people who have absolutely no clue
The best part is that the FDA Now, I don’t blame the FDA game situations. what is happening or what measures have been
didn’t deny the results of the for everything, I just find pre- Clearly, this unfortunate ongoing situation taken offer up “Dear Abbey” advice and say
study the cherry growers were ventable deaths especially was building over time. It just does not make their son needs to be taken to the woodshed
promoting — instead they insist- heartbreaking. I wish there were sense for him to be released, based on the situ-
and the parents need lessons on how to raise
ed that the cherry growers more stringent protocol in place ation and circumstances reported in the Glen-
their children?
would have to actually submit a for new drugs, and more vigilant wood Springs Post Independent on Feb. 13.
monitoring of the food supply Like any other high school athletes, we want
“new drug” application. This is a tremendous loss for the community,
to play. We love our sports immensely and play
Another quick quote from the rather than the Band-Aid meas- kids, and players.
with great heart and passion. Our administra-
FDA, “The FDA is responsible ures of what seems to be in place
for advancing the public health today. This week we just had an Bill Sommers tion works hard to find and create sports pro-
by helping to speed innovations enormous meat recall after hor- Silt grams that work. Coaching is terribly difficult,
that make medicines and foods rible and abusive conditions and it’s rare to be able to make everyone hap-
more effective, safer, and more were revealed; the E. coli in py.
affordable; and helping the pub- spinach, etc. Shouldn’t the wel-
Coach made a bad choice Ultimately, in compromising situations it is
lic get the accurate, science- fare of our citizenry and what we I wonder how many parents would be sympa- the adults who need to be accountable and to
based information they need to ingest be first and foremost? thetic to Coach Cox if it were their child he had make decisions that are the best in the current
use medicines and foods to I would love to be able to write thrown a ball at. If he had used his hand to hit him, situation. Our administration decided to do
improve their health.” I’m glad about this for quite a bit more, rather than a thrown basketball, would it have what they felt was best and we fully back them
they imparted that philosophy giving more tangible examples, been any better? Worse? up.
onto the cherry growers. but for now I think we just need to The fact is he got angry and acted out physical- We love our school, and it’s important for our
There are cases where people realize that this is a somewhat ly toward a minor student. That should not be community to support us as we continue to grow
with specific sleep disorders — broken system. I don’t want Mon- acceptable by anyone’s standards. and develop as a school.
which prevented sleep for up to santo making choices about what
Danyelle Carlson Kaitlin Moeller and Mikaela Guettler
four days — were essentially myself or others can eat because
Glenwood Springs New Castle
“cured” by GHB. But, since that they deemed it “safe.” I think we
has been labeled as a “date rape” all know that these monstrous
drug, it is completely banned. corporations could care less
Some may say that’s the right about the average human being. ‘ [Newspapers owe readers] a clear
thing to do, if it can prevent vio- It’s the almighty dollar they are This week’s question
lence, just like banning medici- after, and it’s up to all of us to
look at the naked facts, as best our
nal marijuana. However, the decide where to spend it. Does snowpack really instant historians can discern them.’
active constituent in marijuana, – Shelby Coffey, Freedom Forum, 1993
THC, has been synthesized into Christopher Mullally wel-
matter to you?
a drug called Marinol, and is comes comments at christopher-
Go to postindependent.com to vote today.
widely used for cancer, mullally@gmail.com.