The findings in the report on "Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Polydrug Use, 2002" is based on data from SAMHSA's Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

Oxycodone or hydrocodone are marketed under numerous brand names, including Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet.

"The abuse of narcotic pain relievers is a serious and growing public-health problem," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. "Narcotic pain medications are wonders of modern medicine for patients with serious pain who are under the care of physicians. When diverted from their legitimate use, however, they are highly addictive narcotics that the body perceives exactly as if the person were taking heroin."

Of the 42,808 drug-misuse related visits to emergency rooms involving either oxycodone or hydrocodone, 3,000 involved use of both drugs simultaneously. In addition, other drugs were involved in three-quarters of the cases.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:
Comment: (limit 200 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for all, please:

1. Keep it clean, courteous, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.
   
   
2. Do not post promotional links to organizations, products or services, or personal requests for assistance (get help).
   
   
3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.