SMART

The issue: Purdue Pharma has developed the blueprints for a 'smart pill.'

We've been critical of the maker of OxyContin for its perceived lack of
"doing something" to curb the painkiller's abuse.

As it turns out, they are doing something. And it sounds very good.

Purdue Pharma said it has come up with blueprints for a "smart pill" that
would be tougher to abuse.

The new painkiller, which wouldn't be available for at least three years,
would destroy its own narcotic ingredients if crushed into a powder and
snorted or injected - the typical manner in which OxyContin currently is
abused.

"Addicts and abusers are going to find this very undesirable," said Dr. J.
David Haddox, the company's senior medical director.

Maybe that's being overly optimistic, but we're ready to jump on the bandwagon.

OxyContin is a slow-release narcotic painkiller that is widely prescribed
for victims of moderate to severe chronic pain resulting from such problems
as arthritis, back trouble and cancer. One pill is designed to last 12
hours, but abusers usually crush the medicine and then snort or inject it,
producing a quick, heroin-like high.

The result: a steadily growing number of overdoses and deaths ... not to
mention a steadily growing number of lawsuits.

Purdue said the new drug could become an alternative to their top-selling
painkiller in areas -like southern West Virginia - where prescription drug
abuse is especially high.

Bring it on. And the quicker the better.