OXYCONTIN TO ADDRESS DRUG ABUSE

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The makers of the painkiller OxyContin said Thursday
they would increase education and oversight of the drug to stem what
authorities say is increasing abuse.

At a meeting Thursday between drug maker Purdue Pharma and law enforcement
officials from five states, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley said the
drug had caused an increase in crime by users in his state, where 32
overdose deaths have been reported.

"This particular drug is a wonder drug when used appropriately," Earley
said. "But when in the wrong hands, it is an agent of death and an agent of
addiction."

In tablet form, the synthetic morphine is designed to kill pain over
several hours in cancer patients and others. But authorities say abusers
can unlock a stronger, heroin-like high by injecting or snorting the drug.

Authorities said abuse of the drug appears to be most common in small,
isolated areas, although they are not sure why.

Dr. J. David Haddox of Purdue Pharma said OxyContin, when abused, can
significantly slow breathing and is easily overdosed.

The company said it would help combat abuse by making tamper-resistant
prescription containers for areas of southwest Virginia where authorities
say abuse is rampant and spending $100,000 on a study of prescription
monitoring programs in Virginia.

Earley and the company said they would also form two drug abuse task forces
and investigate the illegal sale of drugs over the Internet.

The meeting also included officials from West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland,
Kentucky and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Authorities said doctors may be overprescribing the drug and making it too
widely available. But Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. said
he hoped doctors would not hesitate to provide it to those truly in need.

"Where there is pain that can be relieved, we want it to be relieved,"
Curran said.