ANSWERS WANTED ON OXYCONTIN

Regarding "Greedy Drug Company Deserves Fine" (Our Opinion, May 15):

The dangers of Oxycontin and its active ingredient, oxycodone, have
been well known since Oxycontin's introduction to the marketplace in
1995. Since then, Oxycontin has been implicated in hundreds of deaths
and thousands have become addicted. Oxycodone has the same molecular
entity in it as heroin, with the same potential dangers. It appears
the medical hoax of Oxycontin is beginning to unravel.

It is my hope that the FDA will have to answer for their lack of
action on Oxycontin. The GAO report published on Oxycontin in 2003
also cannot be ignored when scrutinizing that statement. The reports
on the death and destruction from both the DEA and law enforcement
are too numerous to mention. Pain relief: yes. Lies: no

Larry Golbom

Largo