SON'S DEATH SPURS DRUG LEGISLATION

Mother Campaigns For Stiffer Punishments For Oxycontin Abuse.

ERATH - Susan Cassidy has been on a crusade. She wants people in Acadiana,
and across the state, to know how dangerous the prescription painkiller
OxyContin is when abused, and she wants the people who take and distribute
the drug illegally to face more jail time.

Cassidy's goal could be realized today, when the state House of
Representatives considers a bill to stiffen the penalties for drug
violations related to oxycodone, the drug that makes up OxyContin and other
similar painkillers.

"Because of the seriousness of the drug itself, I thought a stronger or
more severe penalty would deter criminals," Cassidy said. "I think
(OxyContin) is widespread. There's no prejudice - young, old, rural, city.
And I believe our Acadiana area is totally saturated."

As most crusades are, this one has been personal for Cassidy. Her son Ryan,
17, died in March 2003 from an OxyContin overdose. His body was discovered
in a ditch north of their Erath home.

"Ryan was a good kid that made a bad decision," Cassidy said.

Four people are facing criminal charges because of Ryan's death.

Nick Choplin pleaded guilty in September to distribution of OxyContin and
negligent homicide. His sentences were suspended, and he's on 10 years
probation. Roland Chambers was found guilty by a jury last month of
manslaughter and is awaiting sentencing. Trials for Derrick Reaux, charged
with second degree murder, and April Ho, charged with obstruction of
justice, will likely take place in the late summer or early fall.

In all her time spent in courtrooms, Cassidy noticed that oxycodone-related
offenses didn't carry a minimum mandatory sentence, like those for cocaine.
So, she contacted state Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Abbeville, to help her
change the law.

Gautreaux's bill, SB226, passed unanimously in the state Senate last month.
It increases the penalty for producing and manufacturing oxycodone from a
minimum of two years to a minimum of 10 years - which must be served
without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. It
also raises the possible fine from $50,000 to $500,000.

For distributing oxycodone, the penalty is increased to a minimum of two
years in prison without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of
sentence.

People who solicit minors to distribute oxycodone would be sentenced to
hard labor for not less than 10 nor more than 30 years.

"I hope that it discourages drug dealers to come to Louisiana," Cassidy said.

Cassidy looks fondly upon pictures of her photogenic son - proofs of his
senior portraits, taken five days before he died, are arranged in a folded
display. She can't yet bring herself to order copies of them.

"He was probably the most friendly, kind child. ... he was just
tenderhearted, a good person to his friends and never took a smile off his
face," Cassidy said.

Cassidy talks online with parents across the country who have experienced
similar losses. She said she's learned some lessons she hopes other parents
learn, too.

"I think OxyContin is easy to hide," Cassidy said. " It's new to the people
of our generation. (Parents) should not be naive. I thought I new
everything that was out there."