Drug maker to help curb painkiller abuse

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The maker of a prescription pain medication said Friday it plans to spend millions of dollars to fight the rampant abuse of OxyContin that has been a factor in more than 100 deaths.

In many instances, OxyContin is stolen and sold on the street or obtained by drug dealers who steal prescription pads from doctors, experts say. The time-release medication can last for 12 hours, but, when crushed or dissolved and then ingested, it delivers an instant high similar to heroin.

The result among abusers is sometimes death. OxyContin's manufacturer, Purdue Pharma of Norwalk, Connecticut, said most reports of abuse blamed on its product involve the abuse of multiple drugs. But, it said, like any medication, the drug can have serious consequences when misused.

The problem is national. This week, authorities in West Palm Beach, Florida, blamed OxyContin abuse for 14 deaths in one month. State police in Kentucky have reported a shift from cocaine and methamphetamine abuse to OxyContin.

The attorney general of Maine, G. Steven Rowe, has called OxyContin the state's most significant drug threat.

"The problem has grown substantially in the last year and DEA is very aggressive in its efforts to solve the problem," said special agent Joe Kilmer of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Miami, Florida.

Approved in 1995 for the management of moderate to severe pain, OxyContin is often used by cancer patients, those with severe arthritis and others.

Purdue Pharma released a 10-point plan Friday to combat abuse of the drug:

Health community battles prescription drug abuse
April 10, 2001
Drug experts worry about deadly mixture of prescription and street drugs
March 31, 2000
Drug survey: Teen use down; young adults up
August 18, 1999

Purdue Pharma L.P.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
OxyContin

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