DRUG ABUSERS TURN TO PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS

Study Discovers Systematic Shift Away From Heroin

Forget heroin. Legal prescription drugs readily available in
pharmacies are now the major source of illicit opioid drug abuse in
several major Canadian cities, which raises questions about drug
control in the country, a new study released today reveals.

Although heroin addiction has been one of the most significant drug
problems in Canada for years, research shows users are turning to
opioids, or prescription painkillers such as Oxycontin, Percocet and
morphine, at an increasing rate.

"The intensity of the shift surprised me quite a bit," said Dr.
Benedikt Fischer, study author and addictions researcher at the
Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia. "This study, for
the first time, shows that systematically, and I would not have
assumed, this is such a dramatic shift."

The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The study looked at hundreds of regular users of illicit opioids from
2001 to 2005 to track their use patterns and other social and health
factors. Researchers focused on 679 users in 2001 and followed up
with about 60 per cent in 2005. Researchers recruited new
participants to ensure a large enough sample size in the follow-up.
The study involved drug users in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto,
Montreal, Quebec City, Fredericton and Saint John, N.B.

After tracking the changes in drug abuse patterns, researchers were
surprised to see heroin use waned in every city.

In fact, Vancouver and Montreal were the only cities where heroin was
the most commonly used opioid among study participants. In some
cities, heroin use was virtually absent. Researchers also found the
use of crack and cocaine declined during the study period.

The increasing trend toward prescription painkiller abuse is a major
problem that signals significant changes are needed in the way
government and law enforcement approach drug control, Fischer said.

Under the present system, officials are focused on cracking down on
heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs and keeping them out of the country.

But little is being done about the fact Oxycontin, morphine and other
opioids are well stocked in pharmacies and readily available
virtually everywhere, Fischer said, adding that it's not difficult
for addicted drug users to get their hands on prescription painkillers.

While some people may steal the drugs, others simply try "double
doctoring," which means seeking the same prescription from several doctors.

"We do relatively little to control or monitor what people get," Fischer said.

To develop a solution, it's necessary for greater recognition of the
fact prescription painkiller abuse has become a crippling problem in
Canada, he said.