OxyContin Robberies Increasing
July 18, 2001
Abuse of Oxycontin, a powerful synthetic opiate, is becoming a major concern across the country. Not only is the drug dangerous because of its overdose potential, but drug abusers, dealers and thieves are burglarizing pharmacies in search of the potent painkiller.
Oxycontin, also known as "hillbilly heroin" due to its popularity in rural areas, is spreading to more populous urban centers. Recent armed robberies in Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and New Orleans indicate the drug's arrival in these cities.
Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration are concerned about this new string of robberies. While drug store robberies are not unusual, OxyContin robberies are different because the thieves are so specific about which drug they want.
In recent months, Florida joined Maine, Ohio, West Virginia and South Carolina, in restricting Oxycontin prescriptions for Medicaid patients. Purdue Pharma, the drug's manufacturer, is currently defending a lawsuit filed by West Virginia claiming that the company marketed the product without fully warning of its potential dangers.
Boston's police department formed a task force to deal with the increase in OxyContin armed robberies, burglaries and thefts. Fifteen incidents have occurred in the last three months alone. According to the head of the task force, Detective Lt. James Pierce, no one has been hurt but he believes it is only a matter of time before an innocent pharmacy patron is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Oxycontin, originally introduced in 1996, was initially considered a wonderful advance for individuals suffering excruciating pain from terminal cancer or other diseases and injuries. However, addicts quickly found that the drug produces effects similar to heroin if it is inhaled or injected.
Hundreds of overdose deaths in the United States have been linked to Oxycontin since 2000.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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