Title

"News & Issues" piece about the alarms being sounded by Maine law enforcement ag

Authors

Lee Burnett

Source

Maine Times

Date

4-6-2000

Pages

9

Abstract

"News & Issues" piece about the alarms being sounded by Maine law enforcement agencies over Oxycontin, a potent new prescription pain killer that is flooding the illegal drug market in Maine. Oxycontin is an a" turbocharged" version of synthetic opiates such as Perocet and Percodan. The pills are formulated for slow-release but can be transformed into an injectable liquid. The illegal supply comes mainly from patients who have dupped doctors into over prescribing and from Canada where it is cheaper. U.S. Attorney Jay McCloskey last month mailed a letter to 4,800 medical practioners warning of the potential misuse of the drug, and Sheriff Joseph Tibbets of Washington County said use there is "epidemic." Roy McKinney, director of the Maine Drug Enforcment Agency (MDEA), said his agency is hearing of Oxycontin from York County to Aroostook. Details.

Subjects

Drug abuse, OxyContin, Substance abuse

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