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 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth