Pubdate: Tue, 26 Oct 2004
Source: Northern Life (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 Northern Life
Contact:  http://www.northernlife.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2396
Author: Keith Lacey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

EFFECTIVE PAINKILLER BEING USED FOR CHEAP HIGH

On the street, it's most commonly known as "hillbilly heroin." Other names 
include "oxy", "killer" and "Oc's."

OxyContin is the trademark name for the controlled-release narcotic 
oxycodone hydrochloride, which is similar to morphine. It is designed to be 
released slowly over time into the body.

Since it was being introduced on a widespread basis in North American in 
the mid-1990s, it has become the most frequently prescribed painkiller for 
cancer-related symptoms and chronic pain.

There was a 450 percent increase in the number of oxycodone-prescribed 
drugs in Canada between 1999 and 2003.

One person's pain medication has become another person's cheap high. People 
are starting to abuse the drug known to provide a euphoric, heroin-like 
buzz because it's much cheaper than the real thing.

When prescribed properly, it is recognized as the finest drug of its kind 
in relieving chronic, debilatating pain. When abused, it can kill.

Two weeks ago in Timmins, two teenagers lost their lives after overdosing 
on painkillers. It's believed they crushed the pill, taking away its 
time-release feature, snorted it and died.

Problem in Greater Sudbury

Sgt. Peter Orsino, head of the Greater Sudbury Police drug squad, said 
OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs have become a major problem in 
this community.

"It's a huge problem...probably the fastest-growing drug addiction problem 
we see on the streets today," said Orsino.

"For several years, there was a strong black market for Percosets (another 
oxycodone-based prescription drug), but this is far worse because this drug 
is way stronger and far more addictive."

OxyContin has become popular in rural areas with lesser access to street 
drugs. It has been linked to seven deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador, and 
22 deaths in Nova Scotia.

In the United States, the overdose death of more than 1,000 young people 
has been directly linked to OxyContin in the past two years.

Last week, following the deaths of the two teens in Timmins, Sudbury's 
largest school board issued a statement warning students about the dangers 
of prescription drugs purchased on the street.

Orsino said a recent rash of robberies at Sudbury and area pharmacies are 
directly related to the increase in OxyContin abuse and addiction.

"OxyContin has become the drug of choice for all intravenous drugs users in 
this community," he said. "They take the pills, crush them, add water and 
inject.

"Crushing the pills takes away the time-release factor, and basically the 
drug becomes a powerful substitute for heroin, but this stuff is now much 
more accessible and cheaper than heroin."

Depending on the strength, OxyContin pills are regularly traded on the 
street for between $10 and $40, said Orsino.

Orsino said "it's impossible" to accurately report how many OxyContin 
addicts there are in the community.

However, he said the drug and associated problems have become increasingly 
prevalent with each passing year.

"It's impossible to say how many addicts there are, but I can say the 
number of robberies and other crime-related problems associated with this 
drug are increasing with each year," he said.

"Like any other addictive drug, once people are hooked, they need to 
sustain the habit, and many are willing to resort to criminal activity 
because there's no other way to get their fix...when they come down, it 
hurts bad and they need another hit."

Numerous pharmacies in southern Ontario, and at least one in Greater 
Sudbury, have stopped stocking OxyContin and many other oxycodone-based 
pills, said Orsino.

The justice system is "starting to come down hard" on pushers who deal 
OxyContin because "its effects are equal to those associated with heroin," 
he said.

Awareness and education are crucial whenever people start abusing one 
particular drug. Orsino regularly makes presentations to school children 
and other groups about the dangers of using and abusing prescription drugs, 
particularly oxycodone-based drugs, because they're so addictive.

"My hope is because of the publicity and the two deaths in Timmins, that 
people will realize this stuff can ruin your life," he said. "If anyone 
suspects people are dealing this stuff, contact the police...and if you're 
an addict, don't be afraid to come forward and we'll try and get them help 
because there are a lot of good programs out there in this community."

If Orsino could offer any word of advice, especially to young people, it 
would be to reject any suggestion to try what people with bad intentions 
will insist is a good, cheap way to get wasted.

"Just stay away from this stuff," he said. "It's very addictive and it will 
ruin your life."

Dianne Gillis (not her real name), who has been a pharmacist for 12 years, 
said OxyContin is arguably the best drug on the market for people suffering 
from severe, chronic pain.

However, she acknowledges how much a problem the drug has become for people 
who abuse the drug for non-medical purposes.

"As long as there have been prescription drugs, there have been people who 
use them for things other than pain relief," said Gillis.

"The problem is these are powerful, powerful pills, and they should never 
be taken for anything other than what they were prescribed for.

"They are highly addictive and they make you incredibly high, but the 
average person doesn't know this. They physically can't handle the dosage 
and can become very, very ill."

Pharmacists take an oath to serve their patients to the best of their 
ability and eradicating physical pain is a big part of the job.

"When I have a patient who comes in and says they're in a lot of pain, but 
only want one kind of medication, it certainly raises a flag," she said. 
"We're in the business of relieving pain and we try our best to help the 
people who genuinely need a prescription."

The problem has become severe enough, her store no longer stocks OxyContin.

"Addicts are willing to try many things, including robbery, to get what 
they want," she said.

"My staff shouldn't have to be worried about being robbed, so we don't 
carry the stuff any more, and we make that quite clear when people walk in 
(with a big sign posted)."

The veteran pharmacist said it rattled her when she heard two young lives 
were lost in Timmins because they didn't know what they were getting 
themselves into.

"These are powerful narcotics and do a wonderful job when used properly, 
but when people abuse them and don't know what they're doing, it can end 
tragically as it did in Timmins," she said.

It also troubles her that patients who legitimately need OxyContin and 
other drugs are increasingly inconvenienced because of illicit use and abuse.

"If I have a 20-year-old coming in here asking for OxyContin, I want to 
know who he is and why he needs this," she said.

If she believes there's something seriously wrong, she no longer hesitates 
to call police.

Dr. Andre Michaud, a veteran emergency room physician, who is just starting 
his own general practice, said a big problem with prescription drugs is 
people don't realize just how potent they can be if not used properly.

"Problems only arise when people use narcotics when they don't have pain 
and they get in trouble. We prescribe with the best of intentions, but what 
happens to these drugs after we prescribe is out of our hands."

Because of problems with drugs such as OxyContin, many doctors have 
introduced a policy where they "automatically do not renew prescriptions" 
for certain strong drugs, said Michaud.

George Murray, incoming president of the Canadian Pharmacy Association 
(CPHA), agrees the abuse of OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs has 
become a big concern for his association.

"Product growth has been huge and so have the problems associated with this 
drug."

Murray agrees OxyContin is perhaps the best drug on the market for reducing 
chronic pain.

However, the problems with misuse and addiction have escalated wildly, he said.

While not pointing the finger directly at doctors, Murray believes a small 
percentage are causing a lot of the problems.

A recent report commissioned by the CPHA indicates "two percent of Canadian 
doctors were responsible for dispensing 25 percent" of oxycodone-based 
drugs, said Murray, who has been a practising pharmacist for more than 20 
years.

The problem with OxyContin addiction and misuse are now at the point where 
his association, health-care professionals and government leaders are going 
to have to concentrate on formulating prevention and treatment programs.

Like any other hard drug addiction, people who want to get help ought to 
have programs and resources available to them, he said. 
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