OXYCONTIN DRUG SPURRING INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR DETOX SERVICES IN AREA

In light of your recent article on OxyContin by Alaina Shearer (The NEWS,
Dec. 6), your readers may be interested in the frequency with which this
drug has been of choice for those referred for detoxification under a
program funded by the Southern Consortium for Rural Care. The consortium is
a collaboration of four Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services
boards covering 10 southern Ohio counties. One of its functions is the
funding of detoxification services for alcoholics and addicts who have no
medical insurance.

Prior to July 2000, OxyContin was rarely recorded as the drug of choice for
those needing detoxification. However, between July 2000 and June 2001,
referrals for detoxification increased dramatically, with OxyContin listed
as the drug of choice for 38 percent of the 104 referrals received. This
accounted for a serious increase in utilization of these funds (36 percent
of all funds expended) and led to their depletion before the end of that
year. Others had to be turned away.

The local breakout of the regional numbers is as follows:

* Athens-Hocking-Vinton counties: 25 referrals (seven for OxyContin).

* Adams-Lawrence-Scioto counties: 36 referrals (17 for OxyContin).

* Gallia-Jackson-Meigs counties: 24 referrals (12 for OxyContin).

* Washington County: 19 referrals (three for OxyContin).

In the five months from July 2001 to November 2001, we have had 27
referrals, 33 percent of which were for OxyContin. (Note: the small number
of referrals in the last five months is not due to a decrease in need, but
to a decrease by the state of 55 percent of our funds for detoxification.
This year, we will have to turn people away by January 2002.)

Shearer's article also referenced deaths associated with OxyContin. While I
have no documented information on OxyContin deaths locally, the U.S. DEA
recently surveyed 775 medical examiners nationwide about deaths attributed
to OxyContin during the 21 months from January 2000 through October of this
year. Of 783 complete toxicology reports for 30 states, 110 deaths were
definitely due solely to OxyContin. Another 172 were "possibly" OxyContin
("possibly" because other drugs may have been ingested along with OxyContin).

While this drug is particularly dangerous and recently well known, I would
remind your readers that it is only one of hundreds of pharmaceutical
medications that are abused and only one of hundreds that will destroy a
person's quality of life, or that very life itself.

Larry Burnett, Executive Director

Southern Consortium for Rural Care

Athens