I
read with interest your article in a recent paper about oxycodone/oxycontin abuse in our community. As a professional in the addictions field, I always appreciate when information is shared about the problems associated with drugs and alcohol. However, this article contained some misleading information.
Firstly, it is my understanding that possession of this drug without a prescription is not legal. As suggested, the illicit use of prescription pain medications is a massive problem.
In recent years, our office has seen a surge in patients requiring treatment for dependency. What’s interesting is that most are abusing prescriptions written in their own name. Many supplement their addiction with easy-to- acquire black market pills.
This article fails to mention the introduction in recent months of tamper-resistant versions of this drug which are difficult to crush. This change has made the preferred method of ingestion by abusers, typically snorting or injection in order to bypass the time-released delivery mechanism, difficult. As a result, we might be seeing a reduction in oxcycodone use but there are plenty of other drugs to take its place so the problem has not been solved.
I agree with the article’s point about a spike in heroin use among young people in our community. One reason for that might be the reduced availability of oxycontin. But the more likely reason is the inexpensive access and ease with which heroin is used. Heroin need not be injected and is frequently smoked or snorted by young people experimenting with its use. Having said that, the most dangerous drugs of abuse among our young people are alcohol and marijuana.
The problem is perpetuated by a belief that these drugs are benign, an unfortunate myth often instilled by their own parents’ behaviour.
Each of these drugs, particularly opiates, is very addictive and often require intervention in the form of detox or residential treatment to arrest the problem.
I take issue with the contention in your article that the cost of treatment should be a reason not to use. Having taken patients to treatment centres across Canada, I can tell you that the very best residential treatment centres cost nowhere near $50,000.
It is irresponsible to put out false information like that. The very best facilities in Canada cost less than half of that. There are also very good residential addiction treatment centres in B.C. that are less than $15,000. Furthermore, there are resources for detox, counseling, and treatment in our community that cost absolutely nothing. Detox and treatment are very effective. If anyone suggests methadone as a solution to opiate addiction, my advice would be to seek a second opinion.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or other drugs, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. Your doctor, school counselor, or an addiction counselor would be a good first step.
Darrin Taylor,
Board Registered Interventionist
Vernon, B.C.
