Pain-control advocates criticized the DEA for removing the "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Health Care Professionals and Law Enforcement." They said the guidelines assisted physicians who feared prosecution in prescribing powerful drugs like Oxycontin and methadone.

The guidelines were developed over several years by the DEA and other organizations to provide those in the healthcare field with a balanced approach to using opioids.

The DEA is looking to further restrict opioids, while pain-control advocates want broader use of the pain medication.

"DEA wishes to emphasize that the document was not approved as an official statement of the agency and did not and does not have the force and effect of law," the agency said in a statement. "DEA recognizes that the proper use of controlled substances in the treatment of pain remains an extremely important issue. Accordingly, DEA intends to address this matter in the future."

Officials at the University of Wisconsin Pain and Policy Studies Group, which worked to develop the document, were surprised by the DEA's action.

"Our group was co-author with the DEA, and the withdrawal of it was a bit of a surprise," said Jody Garthwaite, spokeswoman for the pain study group. "We were notified by the DEA they were removing it from the website. They did not indicate to us the reasons why."

DEA officials declined to identify the misstatements in the document.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.