NCJ Number
193277
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 69 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 72-75
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides a brief history of oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin), information about its distribution, descriptions of abuse trends, and summaries of the media, industry, law enforcement, and political responses to the problem.
Abstract
OxyContin, a schedule II controlled substance was developed and patented in 1995. OxyContin is an oral, controlled release oxycodone that is used to manage chronic types of pain such as migraine headaches, arthritis, postoperative pain, and cancer pain. Maine was the site of the first problem regarding the use of the drug where a State official reported the inappropriate use of OxyContin was particularly high. Newspapers reported that use of the drug had spread across the Nation using words such as “plague,” “scourge,” and “epidemic.” OxyContin abuse was such a problem in Alabama that one area drug task force was instrumental in forming a program called Operation Save Teens. The most recent Pulse Check survey, prepared by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, showed that OxyContin abuse had spread to the northwestern United States. While OxyContin may be the current drug of abuse, the abuse of opioids (and other prescription drugs) is not new. It seems that prescription drugs are a major source of psychoactive use in the United States. But OxyContin use has soared during the past 25 years. This rise is likely due to the fact that OxyContin contains proportionately more oxycodone than other drugs. OxyContin and other prescription drugs are illegally diverted in a number of ways. Drugs are often stolen from pharmacies, obtained from forged prescriptions, or incorrectly prescribed. Another major source of diversion involves people known as “doctor shoppers.” These people attempt to deceive physicians with fake injuries or ailments to get prescriptions. Actions have been taken by the manufacturer (Purdue), by prosecutors, and by law enforcement. Purdue has provided educational materials to physicians; prosecutors and police in several States have stepped up enforcement efforts targeting OxyContin; political leaders have reacted by forming various task forces, and they have also proposed legislation; and the National Association of Attorneys General Task Force will study the feasibility of using a computer database to identify abusers.