Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2001
Source: Chattanooga Times & Free Press (TN)
Copyright: 2001 Chattanooga Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.timesfreepress.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/992
Author: Stump Martin

OXYCONTIN CONFIRMED CAUSE OF TEEN'S DEATH

LaFAYETTE, Ga. -- An acute overdose of the drug OxyContin was confirmed by 
authorities as the cause of death of a 15-year-old Covington, Ga., boy who 
died here Tuesday.

The Georgia State Crime Lab released its findings on Thursday.

The drug has been on the market since 1996 and is widely prescribed for 
victims of chronic, severe pain from problems such as cancer and back trouble.

The youth was discovered unconscious at the home of his mother's friend at 
3623 East Highway 136 at 3:58 p.m. Tuesday. Hutcheson Medical Center 
paramedics found the youth in cardiac arrest, Walker County Sheriff Steve 
Wilson said.

The victim was transported to Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe, 
where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Wilson said his office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are 
still investigating the boy's death.
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