Regarding the research by David Loxterkamp (Bangor Daily News article, reprinted in the Sun Journal Sept. 14), some of the data he wants to publish would, indeed, be considered identifying, namely, “They instead include details such as the county and month in which the person died, the relationship between deceased person and the person who found him or her, and if or when the deceased person was last prescribed a drug that is prone to abuse.”
In a relatively rural area, as so much of Maine is, that information would easily identify a person.
I imagine it would be easy to report Dr. Loxterkamp’s results without revealing that personal information.
Folger Cleaveland, Farmington
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