Pubdate: Sat, 16 Apr 2005
Source: Post-Crescent, The (Appleton,  WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

MAKER OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER OFFERS REWARD IN OSHKOSH ROBBERY

Pharmaceutical Firm To Give $1,000 For Data Leading To Capture Of
Armed Gunman

OSHKOSH -- The pharmaceutical maker of the prescription painkiller
OxyContin donated $1,000 as a reward for information leading to an
arrest in the Tuesday robbery of an Oshkosh pharmacy.

Purdue Pharma, a Stamford, Conn.-based drug maker, donated the money
to Winnebago Countywide Crimestoppers after a man held up the Emmers
Lane Walgreens store at gunpoint and left with an undisclosed amount
of OxyContin.

OxyContin, when used for legitimate reasons, is a strong narcotic
painkiller similar to morphine that is prescribed for chronic pain,
according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

It also has been an abused drug.

The drug is properly used through time-release tablets, although
recreational users will snort, inject or chew the tablets to get the
full effect of the drug all at once, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
reports. Authorities report that the drug provides recreational users
with a heroin-like high when it is used in an improper fashion.

Police Tuesday made an extensive search for the robber in areas near
State 21 to no avail. Police haven't released how much of the drug was
taken from the pharmacy.

The suspect is described to be in his late 30s or early 40s, with
longer brown hair and a Fu Manchu mustache.

He is believed to stand between 5 feet, 6 inches tall to 5 feet, 8
inches tall and weigh between 140 to 150 pounds. At the time of the
robbery, he wore dirty blue jeans, a dirty denim jacket and a denim
painter's or baseball-style cap.

Anyone with information on the robbery or the identity of the suspect
may call Crimestoppers at 800-621-2274.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for the cash reward.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin