Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 Source: Connecticut Post (CT) Copyright: 2001sMediaNews Group, Inc Contact: http://www.ctpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574 SENSIBLE RESPONSE Pharmaceutical manufacturer Purdue Pharma of Stamford should be commended for its efforts to prevent young people from abusing one of its most powerful painkillers, OxyContin. State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, officials of other states and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency have all voiced concerns about abuse of the drug and have asked Purdue Pharma to take action, although the company says government pressure played no part in its decision to take extra precautions. Whatever spurred its actions, Purdue Pharma did the right thing in suspending shipments of its largest dose of the drug, the 160-milligram tablets. That concentration would be most dangerous if abused. Used properly, OxyContin is released slowly into a person's system and is of enormous benefit to people in severe or persistent pain. However, abusers grind the tablets into powder and snort or inject it to create a sense of euphoria. Releasing a large dose into one's system in a short time can be very dangerous. In fact, about 120 overdose deaths nationwide have been linked to oxycodone, OxyContin's generic name. The state of Florida views this danger so seriously that it often prefers manslaughter charges against those allegedly responsible for oxycodone overdose deaths. For instance, such charges have been leveled against a doctor in the deaths of four patients he treated with the drug and against those who allegedly supplied oxycodone illicitly to young people who've died. Perhaps the state of Connecticut should consider a similar response. In addition to suspending shipments of its highest dosage of OxyContin, Purdue has taken steps to acquaint people with the generic name of the drug and with the risks of abusing it. It seems to us that the company has been both reasonable and cooperative in addressing this problem. The rest of the job must now be done by law enforcers and by the public itself. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens