I am not aware of any criminal implications for the 'proper' use of Oxycontin.
In my experience some docs prescribe it too eagerly. My mom, for instance had some chronic pain and they were going to put her on it for some period of time. They prescribed it, but before taking it, she did her research and asked whether or not she'd be addicted. "Oh yes," they said. "Well what do I do then?" she asked. "Rehab," they said.... no joke!
She just dealt with the pain, thank you.
But I agree, if you're dying of cancer, let 'er rip. The docs I've been around aren't shy about prescribing pain meds.
My father-in-law died of prostate cancer just a couple years ago. They caught it early and he underwent treatment, including surgery. It seemed to be handled, then it sprang back up and it was all over. It was strange with him, though. He didn't have a lot of pain, and the docs said that happens sometimes.
He fell down during that time and broke his arm between the elbow and shoulder---it seemed a little sore. We took him in and they missed it because he simply didn't seem to be in the pain such a complete break should give. I discovered the break days later when trying to help him out of a chair. I could feel the fact that it was a total break--the two halves moving independently.
Because he wasn't in much pain from anything, the only pain meds he got was a dose of morphine about an hour before he died--he wasn't conscious, but the nurse perceived he might be in pain and gave it to him.
Cancer is ugly, though, even if you are lucky with the pain thing.
