SENSIBLE RESPONSE

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Purdue Pharma of Stamford should be commended
for its efforts to prevent young people from abusing one of its most
powerful painkillers, OxyContin.

State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, officials of other states and
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency have all voiced concerns about abuse of
the drug and have asked Purdue Pharma to take action, although the company
says government pressure played no part in its decision to take extra
precautions.

Whatever spurred its actions, Purdue Pharma did the right thing in
suspending shipments of its largest dose of the drug, the 160-milligram
tablets. That concentration would be most dangerous if abused.

Used properly, OxyContin is released slowly into a person's system and is
of enormous benefit to people in severe or persistent pain.

However, abusers grind the tablets into powder and snort or inject it to
create a sense of euphoria. Releasing a large dose into one's system in a
short time can be very dangerous.

In fact, about 120 overdose deaths nationwide have been linked to
oxycodone, OxyContin's generic name.

The state of Florida views this danger so seriously that it often prefers
manslaughter charges against those allegedly responsible for oxycodone
overdose deaths. For instance, such charges have been leveled against a
doctor in the deaths of four patients he treated with the drug and against
those who allegedly supplied oxycodone illicitly to young people who've died.

Perhaps the state of Connecticut should consider a similar response.

In addition to suspending shipments of its highest dosage of OxyContin,
Purdue has taken steps to acquaint people with the generic name of the drug
and with the risks of abusing it.

It seems to us that the company has been both reasonable and cooperative in
addressing this problem. The rest of the job must now be done by law
enforcers and by the public itself.