GROUP PLEDGES TO FIGHT OXYCONTIN

WASHINGTON (AP) - State law enforcement chiefs pledged Monday to fight the
growing abuse of OxyContin, a painkiller primarily prescribed for cancer
patients. A national task force launched by the officials will study
current programs, including a computer database that helps spot potential
abusers.

"This drug can be the angel of life when used appropriately," said Mark
Earley, attorney general of Virginia, where OxyContin abuse has led to at
least 32 overdose deaths. "When used illegally it can be an angel of death."

OxyContin, a synthetic morphine hailed as a miracle drug for patients
suffering severe pain, has become a popular illicit drug in some parts of
the country.

Users grind the pills, snort the powder or inject a mixture of powder and
water, hoping for an effect similar to that of heroin, officials said. Many
users seek extra portions from doctors and pharmacists, but others simply
break into drug stores or steal doctors' prescription pads to forge
prescriptions.

Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran Jr. said the abuse of the
prescription drug is becoming a national problem, spreading from western
Virginia and other parts of the Appalachian Mountains.

More than 120 overdose deaths nationwide have been linked to OxyContin.

Earley said officials will study several state efforts to fight
prescription drug abuse and make recommendations to their respective
legislatures. A potential national model includes a Kentucky system in
which doctors, pharmacists, police, prosecutors and others can use the
database to figure out whether a person is filling multiple prescriptions
for the same drug at different locations, which might indicate the person
is overusing or illegally selling the drug.

Industry and federal officials are taking action as well, the attorneys
general said.

Last week, Purdue Pharma, the drug's Connecticut-based maker, suspended
shipments of large-dose tablets.

Also this month, the Drug Enforcement Administration said it would target
aggressively doctors and pharmacists who over-prescribe the medication.