One Clear Sign of an Epidemic: Pharmacy Robberies

The addiction for pharmaceuticals is at an all time high. One consequence is that there has been an unprecedented number of robberies at major chain pharmacies. As other crimes across the nation are seeing reductions, this crime that is increasing.

Major pharmacies have had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars upgrading security. The penalties are stiff, and once caught  the perpetrators get a rude awaking of the federal system.

Coast to Coast Pharmacy Crimes

Knoxville Suffers: One area where there has been a rise in prescription drug armed robberies is Knoxville Tennessee.  Authorities  have noticed a drastic increase in drug store robberies in the past year.  Knoxville police department shows that robberies jumped from 26 to 44 from 2009 to 2010.     In the month of December 2010 investigators worked on ten cases – including one day where there were …

Continue ReadingOne Clear Sign of an Epidemic: Pharmacy Robberies

New Formula of Oxy Leads to Heroin Abuse, Addiction

It has been almost a year since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released their new formulation for OxyContin. The FDA released the new design of the tablet to help prevent the illegal misuse and abuse of the pain relieving drug. As successful as the new formula may be, the new version is causing authorities across the nation new stress. Authorities have been noticing a rise in more individuals turning to heroin to get the sensation of euphoria that at one time OxyContin was able to fulfill.

On April 5, 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the new formulation of the time controlled-release drug OxyContin. OxyContin is made to slowly release potent opioid oxycodone into patients that require management of a continuous around-the-clock pain suppressant. However, because of OxyContin’s time-released formula, each tablet contains large doses of oxycodone. …

Continue ReadingNew Formula of Oxy Leads to Heroin Abuse, Addiction

OxyContin Part of Dramatic Rise in ER Visits

In 2009, more than 1.2 million people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for the non medical use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  This number has more than doubled in recent years, from about 500,000 visits in 2004.  For the first time, the number of emergency room visits for the non-medical use of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs surpassed the number of visits for illicit drug abuse.

The figures were based on a study conduction by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), a government program that monitors ER visits and deaths caused by drugs.  According to DAWN, the prescription drugs that were most often involved in ER visits were:

  • Opioids, which are used to relieve pain and include oxycodone (brand names OxyContin and Roxicodone), hydrocone and methadone.
  • Benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety and insomnia and include the brands
Continue ReadingOxyContin Part of Dramatic Rise in ER Visits

St. Thomas Overrun by OxyContin

Hillbilly Heroin, kicker, oxy…call it what you want, it’s all the same.  Local police have become alarmed for these small yellow/white pills that are becoming a big problem.

It’s a narcotic painkiller called OxyContin and it is highly addictive.  It’s also called Percocet, Oxycocet, and Percodan when mixed with other things such as aspirin.  These oxycodone-based drugs are for moderate to sever pain.  However the treatment has side effects of euphoria, or an intense feeling of pleasure, which makes the drug so appealing and addictive.

Health Canada states, “With the purest form of the drug, OxyContin, pills are time-released when taken normally, but when chewed, inhaled through the nose or injected, the effects become stronger.”  So strong, that it’s hard not to get addicted to the feeling of stimulation.  People become reliant on that feeling and continue to abuse the …

Continue ReadingSt. Thomas Overrun by OxyContin

Mothers Fighting Together Against OxyContin

We are impressed with a recent article we read inthe Outer Banks Sentinel about mothers who have teamed up to fight against the rampant OxyContin abuse that is occurring in the Northeast.

The group in Dare County has been spurred on by the fatal and near fatal overdoses experienced by their loved ones and family members.

The story of Ward Blanchard is recounted and is a typical one.  “He never drank or did a drug until he was 25 years old.” His mother said.  An autoimmune disease exposed him to OxyContin and other opiates and he went down the all too familiar road of opiate addiction.

If you live in the area, Get involved with the Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse.

Other Good Articles Relating to OxyContin:

  • The American Double Sacrifice follows the story of a corporal who became addicted
Continue ReadingMothers Fighting Together Against OxyContin

Purdue Pharma Guilty Parties: Where Are They Now

A great article in Oregon’s Salem News online resource points out some of the latest about Purdue Pharma’s guilty former top execs. This article, written by Marianne Skolek, is a good look at the reality of corporate white collar criminals and their lack of accountability for the lives they have ruined.

The article reminds us that these men were the subject of a criminal investigation regarding their involvement in developing and unleashing the most deadly narcotic painkiller every legally sold in the United States: OxyContin.

Howard Udell

Howard Udell supposedly has “retired as a Purdue Pharma employee” but he does work as a Consultant for Purdue “on certain matters.”  His email address is UdellLawOffice@pharma.com and his office sits in Purdue Pharma’s building.

Dr. Paul D. Goldenheim

Dr. Paul D. Goldenheim is now on the board of NeuroPhage board of directors.  …

Continue ReadingPurdue Pharma Guilty Parties: Where Are They Now

More on the OxyContinuum from Steve Bruno

The below is reprinted from Interventionist Steven Bruno’s newsletter.  He can be contacted by calling 800-880-0330 or visiting http://www.MoreThanHope.com

Why is it that almost all of my interventions these days seem to have to do with the pain-killer OxyContin? It didn’t used to be like this.

Take “Sandra” for example, (not her real name): she is 22 years old, from Washington state, and, until two years ago, was an honor student with bright blue eyes, shimmering hair framing rosy cheeks and a broad smile.  I got her into treatment this past week so hopefully that smile will return. But it’s gone now. Over the course of two short years she became depressed and isolated; a shadow that her own family barely recognized.  She dyed her hair black and smeared on heavy mascara and thick make-up to cover her acne scars.…
Continue ReadingMore on the OxyContinuum from Steve Bruno

PrescriptionAddictionRadio.com

Larry Golbom is a pharmacist who definitely understands the dynamics of the silent epidemic of prescription drug addiction in America.  “Larry G” hosts a radio show every Sunday night from 9-11 PM (EST) to make listeners aware of the dangers of drugs like OxyContin.  You can listen to the radio show and listen to the archives on PrescriptionAddictionRadio.com.

Larry G’s site has a wealth of information and links that will be enlightening to the individual who is suspicious about the legality of benefit of OxyContin.

I would highly recommended starting off by listening to “Oxycontin – Biggest medical hoax in last 100 years.” In this .mp3 download, Larry G draws a great parallel between Purdue Pharma’s promotion of OxyContin in the 1990s and Bayer’s promotion of   heroin in the 1890s.  Both companies profited by promoting these highly addictive substances with …

Continue ReadingPrescriptionAddictionRadio.com

The OxyContinuum by Interventionist Steven Bruno

It is time for the companies who manufacture Oxycontin and  other opiates to take responsibility for the unintended effects these drugs are having. Heavy opiates, prescribed to ease pain of surgery or accidents are taking a huge toll on our children – our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers.

Every day we can read a news story about the tragic effects of these highly addictive painkillers.  The FDA is supposed to protect us, but the fact is that these drugs kill approximately 200,000 people a year in the U.S. alone, more than four times our total losses in the Vietnam War..

So what can we do about it?

We can start by collecting the facts. Call every drug treatment center in your area and ask what percentage of their clients are addicted to painkillers like OxyContin.  If you work in …

Continue ReadingThe OxyContinuum by Interventionist Steven Bruno