Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA) Copyright: 2001 Bristol Herald Courier Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin) OXYCONTIN SOLUTION INCLUDES TREATMENT It's good to hear that a two-day symposium this week that focused heavily on the legal and social effects of OxyContin abuse probably won't be the last. And it's equally good to hear that the next one, if it's held, will deal with treating and rehabilitating those already addicted. Certainly it's imperative to find ways of stemming the "epidemic" of OxyContin addiction, as it's being called. The narcotic painkiller, intended for those suffering severe, chronic pain, has been blamed for more than two dozen deaths in the region, a wave of drug-related crime and untold human suffering among those who abuse it. But it's no less important to find ways of helping those who have already fallen prey to OxyContin and other drugs. Whether you believe the problem lies with the powerful painkiller itself or with the people who use it, there must be ways to help them overcome the addiction. And until they've done so, the suffering won't be over for them or for others. - --- MAP posted-by: GD