NO KL DEATHS DIRECTLY LINKED TO DRUG

KIRKLAND LAKE -Recent reports of deaths in Kirkland Lake directly
related to the abuse of OxyContin have proven unfounded.

In Monday's edition of the Northern News a story from Timmins stated
that two youngsters and five people in Kirkland Lake have died
following misusing a deadly prescription drug but further
investigation by the Northern News found this information incorrect.

OPP Staff Sgt. Don Goard said no youngsters in Kirkland Lake have died
from the misuse of OxyContin and that currently they are awaiting
toxicology reports but none of these are people under the age of 20.
The OPP are expecting toxicology results from two people in the 20s,
two people in their 30s and three people in their 40s. Because these
investigations are still open the staff sergeant couldn't make any
further comments.

The information that was reported from Timmins has been used at public
meetings where it was assumed it accurate, but in fact it is incorrect.

Staff Sgt. Goard said in the cases where the toxicology reports have
shown OxyContin was present in the person's system when they died the
results also showed that other drugs and or alcohol was also being
used at the same time.

Staff Sgt. Goard said, "it is a case of substance abuse, taking
whatever you can get to get high." He e problem is not just OxyContin,
it is drug addiction that is the problem, not just one drug.

As far as Staff Sgt. Goard knows there have only been two cases of
death in Kirkland Lake where OxyContin was present but in both these
case other drugs were also present.

On two occasions Staff Sgt. Goard said people's lives were saved when
they were sold a drug that was suppose to be OxyContin but in fact was
a totally different drug.

Staff Sgt. Goard also noted that in the occurrences for the last
quarter of 2008 the number of petty crime and break and enters related
to pill addiction has fallen right off.

In Kirkland Lake the Kirkland Lake Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Coalition recently made it a priority to inform the community about
the dangers of misusing OxyContin.

The coalition has put up a number of posters about OxyContin that warn
potential users "it starts just this once and it can end there. Misuse
of prescription pain relievers like OxyContin can kill you."

As well the local coalition is holding a poster contest for area high
school students, and is planning a clean your medicine cabinet out
campaign that will likely tie in with Kirkland Lake's Clean Up Week.

MP Charlie Angus has also attended one meeting of the coalition and is
supporting the work of the coalition through various means and he sees
the problem as being one that affects all parts of the riding.

Last Friday Angus was on hand with representatives from the Timmins
Police Service, the OPP, Porcupine Health Unit and South Cochrane
Addiction Services to launch the Timmins Oxycontin Awareness Campaign.