OXYCONTIN ABUSE LEADS TO ROBBERIES, OVERDOSES

When used properly, OxyContin is perhaps the most effective prescription
painkiller available. Doctors often prescribe it to patients with cancer or
those who are terminally ill.

When used illegally, abusers break the time-release coating on the capsule
and snort or inject the drug. It delivers a quick, addictive and
potentially lethal high.

"Three years ago, we had a tremendous problem with OxyContin-related
overdoses, burglaries and pharmacy robberies," said Tim Rutledge, assistant
director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. "But the OxyContin task
force that was assembled in response to it has brought a lot of attention
to the issue and that has helped."

At least eight OxyContin-related deaths occurred between Nov. 28, 2000, and
July 4, 2001, according to the MBN's 2001 annual report. But the number
could be higher, Rutledge said, because county coroners were not required
to alert the MBN when someone died from a drug overdose until July 1 this year.

"We had no real idea of the number until recently," Rutledge said.

Since July 1, there have been 16 pharmaceutical-related deaths in the
state, Rutledge said. It won't be known until full toxicology reports are
compiled how many, if any, were related to OxyContin, he said.

Pearl River County was among the first areas in the nation to see the
deadly impact of OxyContin abuse. At least five people died from its use in
2001, said Maj. David Ervin of the Picayune Police Department.

"It really came out of nowhere, and no one seemed to be able to explain
it," Ervin said. "It wasn't a street drug we were dealing with all of the
time, because people were doctor-shopping and getting the drugs that way."

Rutledge said the task force, made up of law enforcement officers, medical
professionals and others with a stake in the problem, helped make doctors
aware that the drug was being used for the wrong purposes.

"Doctors were giving this stuff out for a hang nail at the onset," Rutledge
said. "But because of our efforts I think doctors are more aware of who
they are giving this stuff out to."

In Pearl River County, more than 13,000 doses were prescribed in 2001.

For a drug that once caused so many problems in Picayune, Ervin said, it's
now rare to find OxyContin being used illegally. "It seems things have
shifted to other prescription drugs and crystal meth, cocaine and those
types of drugs," he said.