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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom