Pubdate: Sun, 24 Aug 2003 Source: Salisbury Post (NC) Copyright: 2003 Post Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.salisburypost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/380 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) GOOD DRUG GONE WRONG It's not fair. It's not fair to the patients who legitimately need Oxycontin that abuse by others may jeopardize its availability. It's not fair or right that a company that produces a highly effective pain killer must also figure out a way to keep it from addicts. And it's not fair or right that unscrupulous people profit from addicting others to powerful drugs. But those things are happening everyday, and today's story about Jerry Castor unfortunately could be repeated across the country. Someone's brother and son gets hooked on this powerful drug, and much sooner than anyone wanted the family is making funeral arrangements. Jerry's body was found outside a doctor's office in China Grove. He was 30 years old. In the story today and more stories tomorrow, Post writer Katie Scarvey takes a look at Oxycontin, a relatively new painkiller, and the impact the drug is having in the illicit drug world. It may be a sign of our times -- an ironic by-product of our effective technology, research and development -- that drug makers can't just sell a highly effective painkiller. In this case, the company may also have to make sure it's not selling too much of the drug. Purdue Pharma has actually given grants to law enforcement agencies to help them find and arrest those who abuse the drug or illegally trade in it. The company is working on an abuse-resistant formulation. And it's encouraging doctors and pharmacists to be on the lookout for doctor shoppers and drug seekers -- people who come up with pretty convincing stories in order to secure another prescription and get their hands on these highly profitable drugs. Good for Purdue Pharma. The unfortunate fact is that OxyContin, as one source told Scarvey, is just the drug du jour, and many companies would not go to that trouble and expense. If people weren't getting addicted to that drug, they probably would find some other. The science of addiction is too complicated to go into here, but some people may be predisposed to becoming addicted. But OxyContin has a double-whammy. It is powerful enough to kill. And powerful enough to help some suffering people keep the will to live. Doctors, pharmacists, the drugmaker and authorities must work together to ensure that it remains available to the people who truly need it. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh