Oxy Contin Abuse In SW VA
Oxy Contin Abuse In SW-VAToday a lot of Americans know about a drug of the name OxyContin and its intended use for those who it is prescribed to. To those who do not, it is a narcotic painkiller similar to synthetic morphine. This drug is used to treat severe pain in a lot of cancer patients today that undergo tremendous pain on a daily basis and need this drug, also many other persons who are in severe pain. Then there are those who abuse the drug, and distribute it illegally, some of which have killed themselves with this powerful narcotic. Should we outlaw this drug because there are people who abuse the drug?
This drug like many other drugs are taken every day by thousands of people in great pain and it is a tremendous help to the victims. With so many diseases effecting the world today we should be proud to be able to say that we have the technology and the know how to come up with such things to help, prevent, and even cure such things. Instead, as Dr. Van Zee looks upon this drug he says, “ By light years, the harm outweighs the benefits.” I disagree with Dr. Van Zee on the note that “much of the abuse stems directly from the actions of unscrupulous or negligent physicians,” (Times-News).
OxyContin abuse is now a problem for Southwest Virginia its lawmakers, and the Commonwealth as a whole. The sale and abuse of this heroin like drug have spread through out a few area counties in the Southwest Virginia region. Since the knowledge of the abuse there has been a crackdown on this drug and five physicians have been charged with illegally distributing the drug without correct prescription. Also” 42 people were charged with 88 counts of illegal drug activity and of these 50 relate specifically to the OxyContin drug,” (Times-News).
I wont disagree that there is a major problem with this drug and it has reached an epidemic proportion, but there is much more that can be done to change the way the drug is used, distributed, and even basic knowledge of it. “ Prudue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, needs to do more to educate doctors and consumers about the benefits and dangers of the product,” (Times-News). Also this drug is supposed to be monitored very carefully by each state and federal drug officials concerning the distribution and the production of it, and in this area not enough precaution has been taken either. Another major reason for the abuse is “company’s use often criticized but increasingly common marketing strategy of currying favor of doctors in private practice with free trips and paid speaking engagements to promote use of painkillers,” (NY Times). This could be a reason why this drug is being overly abused. It is possible that some people are easily take in and trust in there doctor to prescribe something right for them and in that get hooked on a drug this one being OxyContin.
I believe from this that OxyContin should not be taken off the shelf because there are people that abuse it. This publicized drug is one of many on the market today that people become addicted to, and only now because of this particular crackdown are we seeing the problem at face value. This is only the surface of the many drugs that are abused everyday. Taking this drug off the market and making it illegal will not fix the problem, but only make it worse. It will be worse not only in abuse, but for the health and well-being of a person who truly needs the drug.
Work Cited
“OxyContin Abuse Causing Major Problem In SW Va.” Times-News.
“Sales of Pain Killer Grew Rapidly, But Success Brought a High Cost.” New York Times. www.times.com