DRUG DEATHS IN FLA. SKYROCKETING

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The number of people dying in Florida after
abusing two popular prescription drugs skyrocketed in the first half of the
year, according to a state report.

Deaths caused by lethal amounts of hydrocodone and/or oxycodone, the active
ingredient in OxyContin, increased from 152 in the last half of 2000 to 217
in the first six months of this year, says the report by the Florida
Medical Examiners Commission.

``Unfortunately, not just our state, but our nation as a whole is
experiencing an increase in deaths related to oxycodone and hydrocodone,''
Commissioner Tim Moore said. ``This report should draw our attention to
those drugs which are not the traditional problems in the state of Florida.''

OxyContin, the nation's top-selling narcotic painkiller, is meant for
sufferers of severe chronic pain. Hydrocodone is a chemical cousin.

OxyContin has been dubbed ``Hillbilly Heroin'' because of its growing abuse
as a narcotic in Appalachia. Before the Florida report, OxyContin and
oxycodone had been blamed for more than 100 fatal overdoses nationwide in
the past three years.

Earlier this month, OxyContin's manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, started a
pilot advertising campaign to discourage illegal use of prescription drugs
in Palm Beach County, Fla.; Cincinnati; Philadelphia; and Charleston, W.Va.
The ads do not mention OxyContin or any other drug by name.

The medical examiners' report said Florida deaths blamed on cocaine,
heroin, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs had declined or stayed the
same when compared to the last six months of 2000.