Thanks for all the posts, depite the fact that I am still a total newbie here!!
I still think we should lobby for easing the dispensing of opiates, and for doctors to listen to their patients with more compassion and less suspicion.
I am willing to do what it takes - legally of course, but we patients need to be heard. Now, with the closure of one OP and the imminent threat of more, Washington DC is closing in on total control of our health, our Doctors and medication. Let's keep the ball rolling and bring up the subject from time to time.
For my own part, I am looking for work in the field of pain management, so I can feel less helpless. Also I am writing a book on the state of pain treatment today, discussing opiophobia, dependence vs addiction, and the idea that pain is subjective, not conveyable to a doctor either. You can be in pain, and the physician can tell you, "you look fine, take six Advil"
Let's keep this spirit alive and do something about it.

- a disobedient civillian