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Commission Report Addresses Solution to OxyContin and Prescription Drug Abuse Problem

BOSTON– The OxyContin Commission, created by the Massachusettslegislature, releases their report today which includes recommendations on how Massachusettscan combat its prescription drug abuse epidemic. The abuse of prescription drugs now stands only second to marijuana on the list of commonly abused drugs and studies indicate that 1 in 5 teens has tried painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin. 



“Prescription medication abuse is different from alcohol or drug abuse.  No segment of society is immune from this epidemic and it can’t be stopped without the involvement of everyone: manufactures, prescribers, pharmacists, regulators, parents and law enforcement.” said Representative Koutoujian, Chairman of the OxyContin Commission. 

According to both epidemiologists and the Massachusettspolice, OxyContin is widely available in the Greater Boston Area.   OxyContin is very similar to heroin; however at $80 for one 80 milligram pill it is much more expensive. This had led many abusers of OxyContin to turn to heroin instead.

 The result:
         
          ·      opioid-related deaths have increased 600% between 1990 and 2003 in MA.

·       emergency department visits for OxyContin and other prescription drug overdoseshave increased 134% between 1999 and 2002.

“Prescription drug abuse cannot be ignored.  The dangerous consequences of death, prison, or life-long addiction are often the only options for individuals addicted to OxyContin” Rep. Koutoujian stated.

The eleven member commission worked to gather testimony on actions that can be taken to reverse the trend of abuse. The recommendations are lumped into four categories: Prevention and Education, Distribution, Dispensing, Handling and Disposal, Prescribing and Monitoring, and Expanded Access to Treatment. The recommendations will affect state agencies, community organizations, Parent Advisory Councils, teachers, law enforcement, health professionals, manufacturers, pharmacies, and insurers.


link to latest media coverage:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/14/oxycontin_panel_seeks_tougher_tracking/