Pubdate: Sun, 24 Mar 2002
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2002 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Erin Carey Byrne
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n498/a03.html

ALL ALASKA PHARMACIES ARE ADDRESSING OXYCONTIN ABUSE

I read with great interest the front page article "Hillbilly heroin" (March 
17). Drug diversion has become a nationwide problem of enormous proportion. 
I would like to add that while Carrs Aurora Village may be gaining a 
reputation among abusers as a place to avoid for obtaining drugs through 
illegal means, all pharmacies are aware of the problem and are working 
together with the DEA and medical community to stem the tide of diversion. 
Pharmacists are placed in a difficult position of having to discern whether 
each and every controlled prescription is being presented to them for 
legitimate use, or an illegal activity.

I would like to assure the public that pharmacists in every Alaska 
community are well aware of the problem and sensitive to the issues. While 
recognizing the potential for abuse, Alaskan pharmacists also recognize 
that drugs like OxyContin offer patients dealing with severe pain a 
valuable management tool that allows them to maintain function and 
activities of daily life.

Erin Carey Byrne

Executive Director, Alaska Pharmaceutical Association

Eagle River
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