A WORD OR TWO

Unexpected Side Effects

The side effects of prescribing the so-called "hillbilly heroin" in Cape
Breton are many.

We're not talking of the medical consequences of using the addictive
narcotic sold under the names Oxycontin, Supeudol and Oxy-IR.

The drugs are prescribed by physicians and dentists alike. And Cape Breton
has the highest concentration of recipients in the province. What's coming
to light of late is evidence of a link between the generic drug and the
escalating crime on the Island. Cape Breton Regional Police blame addicts
for a number of violent and desperate acts committed to obtain the medication.

It's got to the point where drugs are being stolen from the homes of cancer
patients, who use the prescribed narcotic for pain control.

Doctors are being duped into prescribing the drug by some of their patients
who fake symptoms. Nova Scotia Police Commission lawyer Jean McKenna said
more needs to be done by the Health Department to monitor drugs like
oxycodone. CBRM drug enforcement officer Const. Greg Gouthro suggests
doctors prescribe only a week's supply at a time, thus cutting down on the
amount of the drug in circulation. They're ideas worth considering to
combat a serious problem.