Pubdate: Thu, 08 Apr 2004
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Keith Bradford
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

SPIKE IN DISPENSING OF PAINKILLER EYED

Alberta's pharmacists and doctors are to review a huge increase in the 
number of prescriptions issued for a highly addictive drug linked to a 
series of overdose deaths. It's estimated that abuse of the painkiller 
OxyContin - known on the street as "hillbilly heroin" - has resulted in 
more than 300 deaths in the U.S.

Problems related to abuse of the drug have also been reported in Eastern 
Canada and officials in Newfoundland - where the drug has been linked to 
several deaths - have seen a 400% increase in prescriptions in three years.

The number of prescriptions issued in Alberta for the oxycodone group of 
drugs - which includes OxyContin - also increased from 58,758 in 1997 to 
138,235 in 2002.

"Are those increases legitimate because of changes in pain management? Are 
they a reflection of appropriate or inappropriate prescribing? It's too 
early to tell that," said Alberta College of Pharmacists registrar Greg 
Eberhart, adding his organization will shortly meet the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to discuss the issue. "The concerns in 
the East are a flag saying, 'Let's take a look at what's happening within 
our own province and let's be proactive.' "

OxyContin is a powerful painkiller which can depress the part of the brain 
that keeps people breathing during sleep. When used in high doses, it can 
cause respiratory failure.

Abuse of the drug has not been a major problem in the Edmonton area but 
northern Alberta RCMP said it's becoming more common - especially in areas 
which have transient populations.

Rojene Waite, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 
said an action plan has been developed to deal with OxyContin abuse because 
of the "devastating" effect it's had on communities there. The plan calls 
for increased enforcement, education and industry co-operation.

"Historically, this is the first time DEA has ever had an action plan that 
singles out a particular brand-name drug," she said. "The death potential 
that we've seen puts it in a different category."
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