News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Effective Painkiller Being Used For Cheap High |
Title: | CN ON: Effective Painkiller Being Used For Cheap High |
Published On: | 2004-10-26 |
Source: | Northern Life (CN ON) |
Fetched On: | 2008-01-17 20:12:53 |
EFFECTIVE PAINKILLER BEING USED FOR CHEAP HIGH
On the street, it's most commonly known as "hillbilly heroin." Other names
include "oxy", "killer" and "Oc's."
OxyContin is the trademark name for the controlled-release narcotic
oxycodone hydrochloride, which is similar to morphine. It is designed to be
released slowly over time into the body.
Since it was being introduced on a widespread basis in North American in
the mid-1990s, it has become the most frequently prescribed painkiller for
cancer-related symptoms and chronic pain.
There was a 450 percent increase in the number of oxycodone-prescribed
drugs in Canada between 1999 and 2003.
One person's pain medication has become another person's cheap high. People
are starting to abuse the drug known to provide a euphoric, heroin-like
buzz because it's much cheaper than the real thing.
When prescribed properly, it is recognized as the finest drug of its kind
in relieving chronic, debilatating pain. When abused, it can kill.
Two weeks ago in Timmins, two teenagers lost their lives after overdosing
on painkillers. It's believed they crushed the pill, taking away its
time-release feature, snorted it and died.
Problem in Greater Sudbury
Sgt. Peter Orsino, head of the Greater Sudbury Police drug squad, said
OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs have become a major problem in
this community.
"It's a huge problem...probably the fastest-growing drug addiction problem
we see on the streets today," said Orsino.
"For several years, there was a strong black market for Percosets (another
oxycodone-based prescription drug), but this is far worse because this drug
is way stronger and far more addictive."
OxyContin has become popular in rural areas with lesser access to street
drugs. It has been linked to seven deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador, and
22 deaths in Nova Scotia.
In the United States, the overdose death of more than 1,000 young people
has been directly linked to OxyContin in the past two years.
Last week, following the deaths of the two teens in Timmins, Sudbury's
largest school board issued a statement warning students about the dangers
of prescription drugs purchased on the street.
Orsino said a recent rash of robberies at Sudbury and area pharmacies are
directly related to the increase in OxyContin abuse and addiction.
"OxyContin has become the drug of choice for all intravenous drugs users in
this community," he said. "They take the pills, crush them, add water and
inject.
"Crushing the pills takes away the time-release factor, and basically the
drug becomes a powerful substitute for heroin, but this stuff is now much
more accessible and cheaper than heroin."
Depending on the strength, OxyContin pills are regularly traded on the
street for between $10 and $40, said Orsino.
Orsino said "it's impossible" to accurately report how many OxyContin
addicts there are in the community.
However, he said the drug and associated problems have become increasingly
prevalent with each passing year.
"It's impossible to say how many addicts there are, but I can say the
number of robberies and other crime-related problems associated with this
drug are increasing with each year," he said.
"Like any other addictive drug, once people are hooked, they need to
sustain the habit, and many are willing to resort to criminal activity
because there's no other way to get their fix...when they come down, it
hurts bad and they need another hit."
Numerous pharmacies in southern Ontario, and at least one in Greater
Sudbury, have stopped stocking OxyContin and many other oxycodone-based
pills, said Orsino.
The justice system is "starting to come down hard" on pushers who deal
OxyContin because "its effects are equal to those associated with heroin,"
he said.
Awareness and education are crucial whenever people start abusing one
particular drug. Orsino regularly makes presentations to school children
and other groups about the dangers of using and abusing prescription drugs,
particularly oxycodone-based drugs, because they're so addictive.
"My hope is because of the publicity and the two deaths in Timmins, that
people will realize this stuff can ruin your life," he said. "If anyone
suspects people are dealing this stuff, contact the police...and if you're
an addict, don't be afraid to come forward and we'll try and get them help
because there are a lot of good programs out there in this community."
If Orsino could offer any word of advice, especially to young people, it
would be to reject any suggestion to try what people with bad intentions
will insist is a good, cheap way to get wasted.
"Just stay away from this stuff," he said. "It's very addictive and it will
ruin your life."
Dianne Gillis (not her real name), who has been a pharmacist for 12 years,
said OxyContin is arguably the best drug on the market for people suffering
from severe, chronic pain.
However, she acknowledges how much a problem the drug has become for people
who abuse the drug for non-medical purposes.
"As long as there have been prescription drugs, there have been people who
use them for things other than pain relief," said Gillis.
"The problem is these are powerful, powerful pills, and they should never
be taken for anything other than what they were prescribed for.
"They are highly addictive and they make you incredibly high, but the
average person doesn't know this. They physically can't handle the dosage
and can become very, very ill."
Pharmacists take an oath to serve their patients to the best of their
ability and eradicating physical pain is a big part of the job.
"When I have a patient who comes in and says they're in a lot of pain, but
only want one kind of medication, it certainly raises a flag," she said.
"We're in the business of relieving pain and we try our best to help the
people who genuinely need a prescription."
The problem has become severe enough, her store no longer stocks OxyContin.
"Addicts are willing to try many things, including robbery, to get what
they want," she said.
"My staff shouldn't have to be worried about being robbed, so we don't
carry the stuff any more, and we make that quite clear when people walk in
(with a big sign posted)."
The veteran pharmacist said it rattled her when she heard two young lives
were lost in Timmins because they didn't know what they were getting
themselves into.
"These are powerful narcotics and do a wonderful job when used properly,
but when people abuse them and don't know what they're doing, it can end
tragically as it did in Timmins," she said.
It also troubles her that patients who legitimately need OxyContin and
other drugs are increasingly inconvenienced because of illicit use and abuse.
"If I have a 20-year-old coming in here asking for OxyContin, I want to
know who he is and why he needs this," she said.
If she believes there's something seriously wrong, she no longer hesitates
to call police.
Dr. Andre Michaud, a veteran emergency room physician, who is just starting
his own general practice, said a big problem with prescription drugs is
people don't realize just how potent they can be if not used properly.
"Problems only arise when people use narcotics when they don't have pain
and they get in trouble. We prescribe with the best of intentions, but what
happens to these drugs after we prescribe is out of our hands."
Because of problems with drugs such as OxyContin, many doctors have
introduced a policy where they "automatically do not renew prescriptions"
for certain strong drugs, said Michaud.
George Murray, incoming president of the Canadian Pharmacy Association
(CPHA), agrees the abuse of OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs has
become a big concern for his association.
"Product growth has been huge and so have the problems associated with this
drug."
Murray agrees OxyContin is perhaps the best drug on the market for reducing
chronic pain.
However, the problems with misuse and addiction have escalated wildly, he said.
While not pointing the finger directly at doctors, Murray believes a small
percentage are causing a lot of the problems.
A recent report commissioned by the CPHA indicates "two percent of Canadian
doctors were responsible for dispensing 25 percent" of oxycodone-based
drugs, said Murray, who has been a practising pharmacist for more than 20
years.
The problem with OxyContin addiction and misuse are now at the point where
his association, health-care professionals and government leaders are going
to have to concentrate on formulating prevention and treatment programs.
Like any other hard drug addiction, people who want to get help ought to
have programs and resources available to them, he said.
On the street, it's most commonly known as "hillbilly heroin." Other names
include "oxy", "killer" and "Oc's."
OxyContin is the trademark name for the controlled-release narcotic
oxycodone hydrochloride, which is similar to morphine. It is designed to be
released slowly over time into the body.
Since it was being introduced on a widespread basis in North American in
the mid-1990s, it has become the most frequently prescribed painkiller for
cancer-related symptoms and chronic pain.
There was a 450 percent increase in the number of oxycodone-prescribed
drugs in Canada between 1999 and 2003.
One person's pain medication has become another person's cheap high. People
are starting to abuse the drug known to provide a euphoric, heroin-like
buzz because it's much cheaper than the real thing.
When prescribed properly, it is recognized as the finest drug of its kind
in relieving chronic, debilatating pain. When abused, it can kill.
Two weeks ago in Timmins, two teenagers lost their lives after overdosing
on painkillers. It's believed they crushed the pill, taking away its
time-release feature, snorted it and died.
Problem in Greater Sudbury
Sgt. Peter Orsino, head of the Greater Sudbury Police drug squad, said
OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs have become a major problem in
this community.
"It's a huge problem...probably the fastest-growing drug addiction problem
we see on the streets today," said Orsino.
"For several years, there was a strong black market for Percosets (another
oxycodone-based prescription drug), but this is far worse because this drug
is way stronger and far more addictive."
OxyContin has become popular in rural areas with lesser access to street
drugs. It has been linked to seven deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador, and
22 deaths in Nova Scotia.
In the United States, the overdose death of more than 1,000 young people
has been directly linked to OxyContin in the past two years.
Last week, following the deaths of the two teens in Timmins, Sudbury's
largest school board issued a statement warning students about the dangers
of prescription drugs purchased on the street.
Orsino said a recent rash of robberies at Sudbury and area pharmacies are
directly related to the increase in OxyContin abuse and addiction.
"OxyContin has become the drug of choice for all intravenous drugs users in
this community," he said. "They take the pills, crush them, add water and
inject.
"Crushing the pills takes away the time-release factor, and basically the
drug becomes a powerful substitute for heroin, but this stuff is now much
more accessible and cheaper than heroin."
Depending on the strength, OxyContin pills are regularly traded on the
street for between $10 and $40, said Orsino.
Orsino said "it's impossible" to accurately report how many OxyContin
addicts there are in the community.
However, he said the drug and associated problems have become increasingly
prevalent with each passing year.
"It's impossible to say how many addicts there are, but I can say the
number of robberies and other crime-related problems associated with this
drug are increasing with each year," he said.
"Like any other addictive drug, once people are hooked, they need to
sustain the habit, and many are willing to resort to criminal activity
because there's no other way to get their fix...when they come down, it
hurts bad and they need another hit."
Numerous pharmacies in southern Ontario, and at least one in Greater
Sudbury, have stopped stocking OxyContin and many other oxycodone-based
pills, said Orsino.
The justice system is "starting to come down hard" on pushers who deal
OxyContin because "its effects are equal to those associated with heroin,"
he said.
Awareness and education are crucial whenever people start abusing one
particular drug. Orsino regularly makes presentations to school children
and other groups about the dangers of using and abusing prescription drugs,
particularly oxycodone-based drugs, because they're so addictive.
"My hope is because of the publicity and the two deaths in Timmins, that
people will realize this stuff can ruin your life," he said. "If anyone
suspects people are dealing this stuff, contact the police...and if you're
an addict, don't be afraid to come forward and we'll try and get them help
because there are a lot of good programs out there in this community."
If Orsino could offer any word of advice, especially to young people, it
would be to reject any suggestion to try what people with bad intentions
will insist is a good, cheap way to get wasted.
"Just stay away from this stuff," he said. "It's very addictive and it will
ruin your life."
Dianne Gillis (not her real name), who has been a pharmacist for 12 years,
said OxyContin is arguably the best drug on the market for people suffering
from severe, chronic pain.
However, she acknowledges how much a problem the drug has become for people
who abuse the drug for non-medical purposes.
"As long as there have been prescription drugs, there have been people who
use them for things other than pain relief," said Gillis.
"The problem is these are powerful, powerful pills, and they should never
be taken for anything other than what they were prescribed for.
"They are highly addictive and they make you incredibly high, but the
average person doesn't know this. They physically can't handle the dosage
and can become very, very ill."
Pharmacists take an oath to serve their patients to the best of their
ability and eradicating physical pain is a big part of the job.
"When I have a patient who comes in and says they're in a lot of pain, but
only want one kind of medication, it certainly raises a flag," she said.
"We're in the business of relieving pain and we try our best to help the
people who genuinely need a prescription."
The problem has become severe enough, her store no longer stocks OxyContin.
"Addicts are willing to try many things, including robbery, to get what
they want," she said.
"My staff shouldn't have to be worried about being robbed, so we don't
carry the stuff any more, and we make that quite clear when people walk in
(with a big sign posted)."
The veteran pharmacist said it rattled her when she heard two young lives
were lost in Timmins because they didn't know what they were getting
themselves into.
"These are powerful narcotics and do a wonderful job when used properly,
but when people abuse them and don't know what they're doing, it can end
tragically as it did in Timmins," she said.
It also troubles her that patients who legitimately need OxyContin and
other drugs are increasingly inconvenienced because of illicit use and abuse.
"If I have a 20-year-old coming in here asking for OxyContin, I want to
know who he is and why he needs this," she said.
If she believes there's something seriously wrong, she no longer hesitates
to call police.
Dr. Andre Michaud, a veteran emergency room physician, who is just starting
his own general practice, said a big problem with prescription drugs is
people don't realize just how potent they can be if not used properly.
"Problems only arise when people use narcotics when they don't have pain
and they get in trouble. We prescribe with the best of intentions, but what
happens to these drugs after we prescribe is out of our hands."
Because of problems with drugs such as OxyContin, many doctors have
introduced a policy where they "automatically do not renew prescriptions"
for certain strong drugs, said Michaud.
George Murray, incoming president of the Canadian Pharmacy Association
(CPHA), agrees the abuse of OxyContin and other oxycodone-based drugs has
become a big concern for his association.
"Product growth has been huge and so have the problems associated with this
drug."
Murray agrees OxyContin is perhaps the best drug on the market for reducing
chronic pain.
However, the problems with misuse and addiction have escalated wildly, he said.
While not pointing the finger directly at doctors, Murray believes a small
percentage are causing a lot of the problems.
A recent report commissioned by the CPHA indicates "two percent of Canadian
doctors were responsible for dispensing 25 percent" of oxycodone-based
drugs, said Murray, who has been a practising pharmacist for more than 20
years.
The problem with OxyContin addiction and misuse are now at the point where
his association, health-care professionals and government leaders are going
to have to concentrate on formulating prevention and treatment programs.
Like any other hard drug addiction, people who want to get help ought to
have programs and resources available to them, he said.
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