PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OFTEN ABUSED

Addicts abuse street drugs, prescription drugs or a combination of the two.

Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker said the most commonly used street drug
remains, as has traditionally been the case, marijuana.

"The use of crack or crystal methamphetamine is by far the most prevalent
problem. It's causing so many problems," Tucker said. "'Rave' drugs such as
Ecstasy are increasingly being seen with college and high school kids, and
there's still a considerable market for crack cocaine."

Persons who drive while under the influence of controlled substances are
subject to be stopped by law enforcement officers. They must undergo the
same kinds of tests as persons who drink and drive.

Tucker said when drivers, who appear to be under the influence of a
controlled substance, are stopped, it has to be determined what the
influence is. "Many of the indicators of intoxication are the same for a
person under the influence of intoxicants, whether it's a depressant (such
as alcohol) or not."

If the intoxicant isn't alcohol, "the most obvious clue is the lack of
odor. A person on narcotics has the same symptoms - marked decline in motor
skills and abilities. They may be more pronounced when the person is on
pain killers. The person would appear lethargic."

Since the breath test will not help if the intoxicant is not alcohol, blood
and urine samples can be taken. In court, evidence of driving under the
influence of a controlled substance can be presented with paraphernalia
taken from the vehicle, blood or urine test results and signs of impairment.

"In either event," Tucker said, "if an officer determines - based on his
training, that a person is intoxicated in such a way that he or she
presents a danger to themselves or others, they can be detained for
detoxification. Charges would depend on the results of tests."

As for the abuse of prescription drugs, Tucker said it has always been
prevalent in certain segments of society. "Most recently, there have been
cases of the abuse of oxycodone, which is a strong pain reliever. There
have been reports of several deaths caused by overdosing on oxycodone.

"The drugs may have been obtained from robberies of pharmacies, hospitals
and other health facilities." That is in addition to legally obtained
narcotics with legitimate prescriptions.

Any noticeable relief in combating the problem of street drugs, "requires a
concentrated effort by law enforcement, treatment and education." Tucker
said the problem "is huge. We must do all we possibly can, under the
circumstances, to at least plug as many leaks in the dike as humanly possible."

He thinks controlling the abuse of prescription drugs "may be impossible."
However, he said, doctors and pharmacists are diligent in reporting abuses
such as forged prescriptions or the use of stolen prescription pads. "We
have a good relationship locally with our health care professionals."

Pharmacist, APD recognize abuse problem

The most commonly prescribed and, perhaps, most commonly abused,
prescription drug is hydrocodone. "It's a narcotic analgesic - pain pill,"
Fran Stotts, pharmacist, said.

"When we (AllCare Pharmacy) were broken into in 1995, that's what they
took," Stotts said. Hydrocodone is the generic name of the drug; it is sold
under brand names, including Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet and Norco. Several
cough syrups have it in them, too, and the store's supply of the cough
syrups was taken in the robbery.

"We were without cough syrup for a whole day," she said. The drugs were
probably taken for resale.

Melanie, whose son Jim is an addict, said, hydrocodone is one of the drugs
her son has used. "Drugs that cause him to 'relapse,' due to his past use,
are cocaine, hydrocodone and alcohol."

Another drug, OxyContin, is being abused, Stotts said. "It's becoming a big
drug. It's a time-release, but they crush or dissolve it, and take the
whole thing."

There really isn't much that pharmacists can do to prevent substance
abusers from getting prescription drugs. "With confidentiality issues, it
really ties your hands," Stotts said.

There are some things pharmacists can do.

"We can refuse to fill a prescription." There are only a few cases in which
that happens, though. "In most of the cases, the prescription was forged. I
have confirmed it with the physician. It's a judgment call. Sometimes, we
just get a feeling.

"We don't want people to harm themselves. I talk to patients directly." She
said doctors understand the behavior of substance abusers, and can refuse
to write prescriptions for narcotics. Pharmacists and doctors should know
their patients.

"Supplies can be checked." If a pharmacist notes that a patient has
recently refilled a pain medication and the patient should still have a
supply, the doctor can be contacted to see if the prescription should be
refilled.

Stotts said there needs to be a way to check on the use of prescriptions
for narcotics, but "there is no registry, no network." She said hydrocodone
"is a very good drug when prescribed and used properly." She doesn't want
people who do need pain medicine to feel they shouldn't take it. "I don't
want anybody to feel that they shouldn't be taking something they need."

The Arkadelphia Police Department has seen a couple of cases recently that
involved the abuse - or attempted abuse - of prescription drugs.

"One girl had been altering prescriptions on a regular basis," Sgt. Roy
Bethell said. "A guy had stolen a prescription pad." He said that person
had been apprehended right away.

"One of the main prescription drugs we're starting to see is hydrocodone.
They alter prescriptions to get larger quantities. Pharmacists call us."
Bethell said many of the attempts to get prescription narcotics are stopped
by the pharmacists. "I'm sure there's a lot we don't see here."

He mentioned one case in which a man was abusing prescription drugs. "He
was seeing a doctor here and in Malvern and Hot Springs. He had a medical
condition."

Bethell said hydrocodone tablets might go for $5 or $10 each on the street.
That could be as much as 50 or 100 times their value in a pharmacy.
"Another readily abused drug is Xanax." It's a depressant, but, "you get a
high if you take it with alcohol."

The manufacture of methamphetamines is a another big problem. "It has hit
Arkansas really hard," Bethell said. "It's too easy to get the recipes and
the stuff to make it. There's a huge profit and a high demand."

Support group for families needed

Tucker said he sees a real need for a support group for families of
substance abusers. "I frequently visit with families of substance abusers
asking, 'What can we do?'" He explains the procedure for forced commitment
of an abuser, but warns that after commitment the abuser may come out the
same as when he/she went in.

"Families ask, 'Where did I go wrong?' No one is immune to having a family
member affected. It happens at all social and economic levels. They think
they're the only ones this has happened to.

"I recognize the need for a support group for families of substance abusers
so they can share problems and know others have problems - there's a
spiritual need there, too. It offers those people someone to talk to.

"I think there's a significant number of families who can benefit - if
they'll take advantage of it."

The final part of this series will be published in the Friday issue of the
Siftings Herald.

Series Index:

Part 1: The Effects Of Substance Abuse, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1481/a05.html

Part 2: Families Of Abusers Often Need Support, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1481/a03.html

Part 3: Prescription Drugs Often Abused, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1481/a04.html

Part 4: Groups Hopes To Help Families Of Substance, http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1481/a06.html