OXYCONTIN ABUSE HITS STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL

Stillwater High School is taking steps to stem the tide of a powerful
enemy before it is too late.

OxyContin, a pain reliever prescribed to cancer patients, is being
misused by high school students in an attempt to get high, school
officials said. Long-term abuse can be devastating to one's health,
according to a report by the Food and Drug Administration.

"As with any problem, you need to address it quickly and head on,"
said Tina Fugate, a Stillwater High School science teacher.

The school is doing just that by cracking down on student behavior,
Fugate said. Administrators educated teachers about the drug and
stressed the importance of monitoring student activity, especially in
the halls. Stricter policies also prohibit students from using their
cell phones.

Administrators found some students were using their phones to initiate
drug deals, Fugate said.

"I do think our part is to make sure the school is a safe environment
for the students," she said. "We may need the parents and community to
do that."

The Parent Teachers Association answered that call. Teachers, parents
and administrators formed a task force to seek possible solutions,
Fugate said. Ideas include hiring a nonacademic counselor and
establishing a support group for students returning from rehab.

The FDA said OxyContin abuse has been rampant on the East Coast for
years. Now, it has made its way to Oklahoma, and its popularity is
gaining momentum. In the last year, the Stillwater Police Department
has noticed an increase in prescription drug abuse, including OxyContin.

Approved by the FDA in 1995, OxyContin is a Schedule II drug under the
Controlled Substance Abuse Act because of its high tendency to cause
dependence and abuse.

The pain reliever is a time-released drug that contains a large amount
of oxycodone, a synthetic opiate similar to morphine, according to a
report by the Center for Substance Abuse and Treatment. Abusers crush
the tablet and either ingest it or snort it. This corrupts its
time-release protection, enabling addicts to experience a euphoric
heroin-like punch.

The drug's impact surfaced in the school when students turned to their
parents for help, said Mary Ellen Holley, Stillwater school nurse.

"I think they discovered they were in over their heads and needed some
help," she said.

Parents then went to the administration, asking them to address the
problem. The District Nine Drug Task Force searched the school but
found no evidence of OxyContin, said Ron Benningfield, Stillwater
Police Department public information officer.

Students entered rehab centers after falling under the drug's
influence. The school confirmed that six students have sought
treatment, Holley said.

Rob Gimlin, a junior at SHS, said one of his friends became addicted
to the drug.

"She was new. She met up with some girls, and they just tried it one
night," he said.

Gimlin said the need to fit in forced his friend to make bad
decisions.

"There were a lot of times I told her she was scaring me. I love her,
she's one of my best friends, and I was telling her she could do
better than that," Gimiln said.

Blake Davis, another junior at SHS, said students with previous
discipline problems are not the only ones falling into OxyContin's
trap.

"It messes with your mind," he said. "You could be the most studious
person ever and get hooked on drugs, and all of a sudden your
priorities are turned upside down."

Reports show this nationwide battle may be far from over. The National
Survey on Drug Abuse shows a dramatic increase in OxyContin abuse in
the past four years. In 1999, about 221,000 Americans reported using
the drug for nonmedical purposes at least once in their lifetime. That
number jumped to almost 2 million in 2002.

Many are questioning where students are obtaining the pain reliever.
According to a study by the Center for Substance Abuse and Research,
abusers nationwide are getting OxyContin by robbing pharmacies,
forging or stealing prescriptions or doctor shopping, in which
individuals visit numerous physicians to get prescriptions.

The Stillwater Police Department has dealt with prescription forgery
cases, but none recently for OxyContin. Last month, officers arrested
Brent David Traugott, a 21-year-old Stillwater man, for possessing
OxyContin, according to the police report. He is charged with nine
counts, including the possession of a controlled dangerous substance
without a prescription.

Officer David Duncan, a drug recognition expert, said he believes
students do not have to look very far to find the drug.

"Most of these teenagers are probably getting this OxyContin from
their parents' medicine cabinet," he said.

While some blame the Internet, Duncan said it is not a common
source.

"One of the school's resources officers actually tried to purchase it
off the Internet," he said. "When it came down to actually having to
buy the drug, they had to have a prescription."

Parents must be on their toes to recognize the warning signs, Holley
said.

"It can be very subtle and difficult to detect sometimes, until you
put all the pieces together and really think there's a problem," she
said.

Changes in sleeping and eating patterns, a drop in grades, problems
with attendance and conflicts with family and friends should raise red
flags, Holley said. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue
and muscle aches, are typical.

"With OxyContin, in particular, you may see more along the lines of
cold symptoms - the sore throat, runny nose, cough," she said.

With prolonged use, individuals become tolerant, require larger doses
and become physically dependent, Holley said. Overdose can lead to
convulsions, coma and death. A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration indicates almost 15,000 Americans
received emergency room treatment for OxyContin-related problems in
2002. Only 100 cases were reported in 1996. The number nearly tripled
between 2000 and 2001.

Rural, low-income areas are prone to OxyContin abuse, according to a
CSAT study. Those who obtain the drug legally are selling it, hoping
to cash in on its popularity. OxyContin sales are lucrative. A
40-milligram pill costs approximately four dollars by prescription,
yet dealers are selling it on the streets for $20 to $40, according to
the CSAT study.

The Food and Drug Administration predicts abuse of OxyContin will
continue to increase. The Stillwater Police Department is determined
to keep that from happening here at home. But Duncan said this
responsibility rests on the parents' shoulders, as well.

"If you're counting on the schools or the police to keep your kids off
drugs in high school, it's too late," Duncan said. "It needs to be
addressed in the family unit years before."

Fugate said this means knowing where your child is at all
times.

"You want to think the best of your child," Fugate said. "A lot
depends on who you hang out with, and knowing who your kids' friends
are is a big deal."

Even some students agree.

"My friend's mom was shocked when she found out she had pretty much
been buying drugs for her daughter," Gimlin said. "She would give her
daughter lunch money, but she wasn't using it for that."

No reports have been filed for the high school OxyContin incident,
Benningfield said. The department does not have enough information.
Benningfield predicts no formal charges will be filed because those
involved took the initiative to get help.