Oxycontin: the party drug for a new generation

by MichaelA. l(azanjian editor in chief

Over a hundred people are dead due to an overdose of OxyContin, America's best-selling painkiller. -The drug, produced by Purdue Pharma, is a slow release drug used to treat moderate to severe pain. When taken as prescribed, OxyContin relieves pain for up to 12 hours, most other painkillers last for six. OxyContin is often prescribed to people dealing with arthritis, back pain and certain cancers.

When the opiate-based pill is crushed it can either be snorted or mixed with water for injection. By bypassing the time-release function of the pill, users get an instant high.

The abuse of OxyContin became apparent in rural areas like Maine and Kentucky earning it the nickname of "hillbilly heroine.'" Georgia alone reported 62 related deaths last year. By the end of this year over 100 OxyContin deaths are expected in Georgia. Purdue Pharma, who manufactures the drug, opted not to include a safeguard in the pill. Often referred to as a narcotic antagonist, a safeguard would reduce the potency of the drug when crushed. Representatives for the company said that they did not expect people to crush and abuse the substance.

very difficult for people who use the drug as directed. Doctors are now being told only to prescribe the drug to patients dealing with severe pain and the FDA put its strongest warning label on the drug, warning doctors and patients of its highly addictive effects. There are also plans to limit doctors from prescribing OxyContin to patients using Medicaid which is paid for by the government.

Street dealers have been stealing the drug either straight from pharmacies, or by robbing customers leaving the store. Other dealers have stolen prescription pads from doctors to write false prescriptions. At this point there are nearly 13 lawsuits filed against Purdue Pharma, each of them saying that the company did not make doctors aware of its habitforming capabilities.

OxyContinoverdoseswere first becoming apparent in white males in their late 40s and 50s who had th~ drug prescribed to them for various reasons. When OxyContin hit the black market about six months ago, the age of users dropped to those in their 20s and 30s. Unlike other high profile street drugs, OxyContin has yet to hit the middle class. Its primary market seems to be the working class, blue-collar person, or those who suffer from disabilities.

news editor

Fifty percent of high school students try it before they graduate. It is the most highly used illegal drug in the United States. Thirty years later, it has only gotten stronger.

Barely known before the 1960s, marijuana use has grown by leaps and bounds to earn ·the spot of most commonly used illegal drug in this country. Almost 69 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once. On average, teenagers try it when they are 14. By the eighth grade 23 percent of students have tried it and by the tenth grade, 21 percent are users.

Cannabis is marijuana and any other drug made from the hemp plant. All cannabis are psychoactive drugs and they all have THC. Among the other 400 chemicals in marijuana. THC is the main active one.

Since the 60's, the amount of THC in marijuana has increased, making the marijuana people are smoking now more potent and mind-altering.

High doses of THC may cause the user to experience bouts of paranoia and anxiety. In a few cases, users have been needed emergency medical treatment for severe psychotic symptoms.

The long-term effects of marijuana are not clear but studies show serious concerns. Regular use could lead to cancer, problems with the immune system, respiratory and reproductive systems.

Quick Facts on Marijuana

•Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States.

•Nearly 50-percent of twelfth graders have tried marijuana at least once.

•The average age for the first use of marijuana is 14 years old.

•Marijuana smoking affects the brain and leads to impaired short-term memory, perception, judgement and motor skills.

-Facts courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The company is currently working on a new opiatebased drug similar to OxyContin, only this time the drug will contain a safeguard. The new drug must first past several tests by the Food and Drug Administration before it can be prescribed by doctors, this could take between two and four years.

The street popularity of OxyContin is making it

In May 2001, Purdue Pharma released a 10-point plan to help fight the abuse of OxyContin. The plan included tamper-resistant prescription pads, distribution of more than 550,000 brochures for pharmacists and doctors to provide them with information on how to avoid prescription drug addiction. Purdue Pharma hopes that this plan will help curb addiction until they can release their new, safeguarded drug.