Ky. Sees Surge in Abuse of Prescription Painkiller February 8, 2001
News Summary
Officials in Kentucky say the prescription painkiller OxyContin has become a popular new drug of abuse in the region, the Associated Press reported Feb. 7.Police recently arrested 201 alleged drug dealers in an effort aimed at curbing the illicit distribution of the drug. The crackdown, which involved state and federal authorities, was the biggest drug raid in Kentucky's history.
OxyContin, a prescription painkiller, produces a high similar to heroin. According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Famularo, at least 59 people have died from "Oxy" overdoses in eastern Kentucky in the past year.
"The abuse and availability of OxyContin has become such an epidemic in eastern Kentucky," Famularo said. He explained that abusers crush the pills into powder and either snort it or dilute it and inject it into their veins.
Hazard Police Chief Rob Maggard added, "Had this been diphtheria or smallpox, we'd have been quarantined from the rest of the state. It's become a terrible epidemic."
According to the Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center, the drug also is popular in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Maine.
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