Industry News

• February 24, 2010
  ‘Trying to sweep the ocean back with a broom’
  

  In many ways, Roy is a typical OxyContin addict. More than a decade ago, he received a prescription for hydrocodone, an opiate-based painkiller, following surgery. After his doctor discontinued the prescription, Roy started illegally buying OxyContin on the street from other users.
  At the height of his addiction, Roy was spending up to $150 a day for OxyContin, which is also known as “hillbilly heroin.” He turned to crime to subsidize his habit.
  “I stole for it,” he said. “I stole off my own family. I was arrested for shoplifting. I got into trouble quite a few times.”

  
  

  Tagged with: State & Local, Substance Abuse

  
  
• February 24, 2010
  Chilling fact: 86 percent of overdose deaths are from prescription drugs
  

  The chief drug enforcement officer in the state says Oklahoma is facing a “silent cancer” in the form of prescription drug abuse.

  Director of Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Darrell Weaver said his agency believes there could be thousands of Oklahomans struggling with prescription drug addition.

  
  

  Tagged with: State & Local, Substance Abuse

  
  
• February 24, 2010
  Painkiller misuse on the rise
  

  Prescription drug abuse is taking hold in Oregon and Linn County, and those concerned can get ahead of this impending epidemic, according to substance abuse educator Eric Martin.
  Martin presented Thursday during a two-hour training event titled “Prescription for Disaster: What You Should Know About Prescription Drug Abuse” at the Central Electric Training Center in Tangent.
  About 130 social workers, members of law enforcement and other industry professionals were in attendance.

  
  

  Tagged with: State & Local, Substance Abuse

  
  
• February 24, 2010
  Summit to take a look at prescription drug abuse, pain clinics
  

  The State Attorney’s Office will host the Prescription Drug Abuse and Pain Clinic Summit with policy makers, law enforcement and medical officials on Monday.
  The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Clayton Hutcheson Agricultural Center at 559 N. Military Trail, in Exhibit Hall A, in West Palm Beach. It offers limited seating to the public.

  
  

  Tagged with: Pain Management, State & Local, Substance Abuse

  
  
• February 24, 2010
  Success of 10-month prescription drug sting shows problem’s scope
  

  The culmination of a 10-month drug investigation called “Operation Pill Poppers” was impressive: 74 identified suspects, 150 counts of doctor shopping, 55,006 pills with a $750,000 street value.
  But by the end of Monday’s six-hour roundup, staged at a closed Egg Platter restaurant in Pinellas Park, dozens of suspects remained at large. Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies and St. Petersburg police arrested 11 that day, plus nine from the previous week.

  
  

  Tagged with: Drug Enforcement, State & Local, Substance Abuse