Pubdate: Fri, 23 May 2003 Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2003 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://www.herald.ns.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) A WORD OR TWO Unexpected Side Effects The side effects of prescribing the so-called "hillbilly heroin" in Cape Breton are many. We're not talking of the medical consequences of using the addictive narcotic sold under the names Oxycontin, Supeudol and Oxy-IR. The drugs are prescribed by physicians and dentists alike. And Cape Breton has the highest concentration of recipients in the province. What's coming to light of late is evidence of a link between the generic drug and the escalating crime on the Island. Cape Breton Regional Police blame addicts for a number of violent and desperate acts committed to obtain the medication. It's got to the point where drugs are being stolen from the homes of cancer patients, who use the prescribed narcotic for pain control. Doctors are being duped into prescribing the drug by some of their patients who fake symptoms. Nova Scotia Police Commission lawyer Jean McKenna said more needs to be done by the Health Department to monitor drugs like oxycodone. CBRM drug enforcement officer Const. Greg Gouthro suggests doctors prescribe only a week's supply at a time, thus cutting down on the amount of the drug in circulation. They're ideas worth considering to combat a serious problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom