DOCTOR SWAPPED OXYCONTIN FOR LOOK AT BREASTS

CHARLESTON (AP) - The FBI arrested a Mingo County doctor Thursday, charging
him with giving the drug OxyContin to an addicted female patient in
exchange for her displaying her breasts. Dr. Armando M. Acosta, 54, of
Delbarton was charged with a federal crime of illegally distributing
OxyContin, a narcotic painkiller. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a
$1 million fine.

U.S. Magistrate Mary S. Feinberg ordered Acosta held pending a detention
hearing on Oct. 30.

Acosta in April 2000 began prescribing OxyContin tablets to a female
patient. After she became addicted, the FBI alleged, he taught her to
inject the drug "for no legitimate medical purpose."

An FBI affidavit says the patient was required to bare her breasts in
exchange for the drug, and that Acosta also solicited her for sexual favors.

Acosta was charged only with violating federal drug laws.

OxyContin, America's best-selling painkiller, is a 12-hour time-released
medication meant for sufferers of severe chronic pain. Abusers often grind
the tablets and snort or inject the powder for a heroin-like high.