Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 Source: Northern Daily News (CN ON) Copyright: 2009, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.northernnews.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2315 Author: Rick Owen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) NO KL DEATHS DIRECTLY LINKED TO DRUG KIRKLAND LAKE -Recent reports of deaths in Kirkland Lake directly related to the abuse of OxyContin have proven unfounded. In Monday's edition of the Northern News a story from Timmins stated that two youngsters and five people in Kirkland Lake have died following misusing a deadly prescription drug but further investigation by the Northern News found this information incorrect. OPP Staff Sgt. Don Goard said no youngsters in Kirkland Lake have died from the misuse of OxyContin and that currently they are awaiting toxicology reports but none of these are people under the age of 20. The OPP are expecting toxicology results from two people in the 20s, two people in their 30s and three people in their 40s. Because these investigations are still open the staff sergeant couldn't make any further comments. The information that was reported from Timmins has been used at public meetings where it was assumed it accurate, but in fact it is incorrect. Staff Sgt. Goard said in the cases where the toxicology reports have shown OxyContin was present in the person's system when they died the results also showed that other drugs and or alcohol was also being used at the same time. Staff Sgt. Goard said, "it is a case of substance abuse, taking whatever you can get to get high." He e problem is not just OxyContin, it is drug addiction that is the problem, not just one drug. As far as Staff Sgt. Goard knows there have only been two cases of death in Kirkland Lake where OxyContin was present but in both these case other drugs were also present. On two occasions Staff Sgt. Goard said people's lives were saved when they were sold a drug that was suppose to be OxyContin but in fact was a totally different drug. Staff Sgt. Goard also noted that in the occurrences for the last quarter of 2008 the number of petty crime and break and enters related to pill addiction has fallen right off. In Kirkland Lake the Kirkland Lake Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition recently made it a priority to inform the community about the dangers of misusing OxyContin. The coalition has put up a number of posters about OxyContin that warn potential users "it starts just this once and it can end there. Misuse of prescription pain relievers like OxyContin can kill you." As well the local coalition is holding a poster contest for area high school students, and is planning a clean your medicine cabinet out campaign that will likely tie in with Kirkland Lake's Clean Up Week. MP Charlie Angus has also attended one meeting of the coalition and is supporting the work of the coalition through various means and he sees the problem as being one that affects all parts of the riding. Last Friday Angus was on hand with representatives from the Timmins Police Service, the OPP, Porcupine Health Unit and South Cochrane Addiction Services to launch the Timmins Oxycontin Awareness Campaign. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin