Pubdate: Sat, 08 Sep 2001
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Melissa Manware, Richard Rubin

OXYCONTIN SUSPECTED IN DEATH

Kannapolis Police Find Bottle Of Painkiller Where Man Visited

A China Grove man died Thursday from what police believe was an overdose of 
a prescription painkiller that's become a popular street drug.

Eric Christopher Bowlin, 26, died at NorthEast Medical Center from an 
apparent OxyContin overdose, Kannapolis police said.

Bowlin, a mechanic at a Salisbury car dealership, spent Wednesday night at 
the home of two friends on Lane Street in Kannapolis. Thursday morning, 
police responding to a call from that residence found him barely alive, 
Sgt. Joe Allen said.

Police also found an OxyContin bottle, prescribed for someone other than 
Bowlin. Based on interviews and on the amount of OxyContin remaining in the 
bottle, police determined Bowlin had been using OxyContin during the night.

The drug, a potent painkiller, gives a euphoric high like heroin. Its use 
and abuse has risen in recent years, authorities say.

Last year, 21 people died from OxyContin overdoses in North Carolina.

Bowlin, who grew up in Kannapolis, graduated from South Rowan High School 
and studied auto mechanics at Central Piedmont Community College. His 
father, Dewey Bowlin, said he learned Thursday that his son had used the 
dangerous painkiller before.

"I thought he knew better," Dewey Bowlin said. "I don't know. I guess we 
didn't read the signs. It's just hard, really hard."

Detective Kay Myers said she was still awaiting toxicology reports on 
Bowlin. She said she does not expect police to file any charges in his 
death, though there may be drug-related charges against his acquaintances.

Allen said drug users often think they won't overdose because they know 
their limits.

"It's that very mentality that causes it to get you," he said.

Earlier this summer, a federal grand jury indicted 10 people - nine from 
Iredell County and one from Salisbury - on charges of illegally selling 
50,000 OxyContin tablets.
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