Provinces clamp down on OxyContin abuse

[SLM]

I didn't realize this but she has been upgraded/downgraded to perkesets (1/2 oxy, 1/2 tylenol 3 I think) so not sure if this affects her at all.

That's good then. And the way I understand it, that would be considered a 'downgrade'.

I had to check my mom's medication list as well when I read the article. I had mistakenly thought she was prescribed Oxycontin for the pain associated with her MS, but turns out it's Oxycocet.

 

[Ron in Regina]

...Good idea, but "clamping down on abuse" is only a sidebar. What they are doing is DELISTING another drug so the payers (us) don't have to pay for it.

Anyone with money who can stick handle their way through the medical requirements to receive the replacement drug will be ok.

Anyone who is seriously ill and poor will have a fight on their hands to provide pain relief for their loved ones.

The abuse will still be there, and if you live in a high use neighbourhood, when the mass withdrawl starts, better bar your doors. Ever see Night of the Living Dead?.....

It sounds like the withdrawal from this drug is described as, "Imagine
the worst flu you've ever had and multiply that by 20" and one of
the symptoms is uncontrollable diarrhea, so......I'm not sure how many
will be wandering the streets....but anything is possible.

I can imaging an addict seeing this happen to other addicts, and going
through extraordinary measures to avoid having to go through this
themselves. Early in the withdrawal could be nasty, but further in,
I don't think many will be wandering the streets with their pants
around their ankles.

Other substitute substances (Morphine, Heroin, Booze, etc...) will get
much more popular very quickly, and I can picture an interprovincial
black-market expanding very quickly (for any entrepreneurs out there).

Delisting this drug will mean that Junkies will need to increase their income.
While going through their DT's, I doubt they'll be supersizing the fries behind
a fast-food counter or anything like that. That can be an issue too.

I'm assuming that Rehab Centres will be in short supply for the next few
months too, at least.

 

[petros]

I don't think many will be wandering the streets with their pants around their ankles.

Considering withdrawl gives you the ****s, I wouldn't be so sure about that. LOL

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

That's good then. And the way I understand it, that would be considered a 'downgrade'.

I had to check my mom's medication list as well when I read the article. I had mistakenly thought she was prescribed Oxycontin for the pain associated with her MS, but turns out it's Oxycocet.

Is that different? I am wondering which of the derivatives will also be targeted [next]?

If people want this drug they will get it. Making it not available to people who need it will not make the problem go away. I don't know if its just her doctor but my wife has to pee in a cup each time she gets a refill to prove that she is still taking the meds and not selling. I think if this were the law this would be a better approach.

 

[petros]

Afghani heroin will fill the bill nicely.

 

[SLM]

Is that different? I am wondering which of the derivatives will also be targeted [next]?

I did a quick google search last night when I first read the article and found the name of what my mother is prescribed.

OxyContin: Straight talk-CAMH

If people want this drug they will get it. Making it not available to people who need it will not make the problem go away. I don't know if its just her doctor but my wife has to pee in a cup each time she gets a refill to prove that she is still taking the meds and not selling. I think if this were the law this would be a better approach.

That sounds to me like her doctor is not one of the ones prescribing it in ridiculous amounts to many patients then. My understanding is that is where a lot of the addiction starts, someone has extreme pain and is prescribed Oxy, then when they see an improvement in pain experienced they are not weaned off it soon enough. My basic layperson's understanding of it is that, if there is need for this pain management medication addiction probably won't occur. It's when you take it when you don't actually need it that it becomes a problem quickly.

I think it all comes back to poor medical oversight on the part of physicians. So I agree, a law like you suggest would be more useful in preventing misuse and not penalize those that have legitimate need of this drug.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I did a quick google search last night when I first read the article and found the name of what my mother is prescribed.

OxyContin: Straight talk-CAMH



That sounds to me like her doctor is not one of the ones prescribing it in ridiculous amounts to many patients then. My understanding is that is where a lot of the addiction starts, someone has extreme pain and is prescribed Oxy, then when they see an improvement in pain experienced they are not weaned off it soon enough. My basic layperson's understanding of it is that, if there is need for this pain management medication addiction probably won't occur. It's when you take it when you don't actually need it that it becomes a problem quickly.

I think it all comes back to poor medical oversight on the part of physicians. So I agree, a law like you suggest would be more useful in preventing misuse and not penalize those that have legitimate need of this drug.

Agreed.

I think it can be addictive after 1 or 2 doses too. When prescribed, help with withdrawal symptoms and getting off of the drug should come rather than just a prescription running out. Its that new addict which will turn to the black market to keep the rush going if not helped or at least educated about the withdrawal process. But this puts more work on the doctor.

 

[petros]

Fentanyl....a real bitch to abuse.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Fentanyl....a real bitch to abuse.

Fentanyl: Fentanyl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[bill barilko]

Wow, your humanity knows absolutely no boundaries, doesn't it?

If they want sympathy they can look in the dictionary between sh!t & syphilis Yes.

You'd think morphine (far more abused than oxy) won't be available either by the way this thread sounds.

Remember this is all about 'special' Canadians not just garden variety drug users-thus the overt concern.

Afghani heroin will fill the bill nicely.

My point exactly-the market will always fill a need-Harper's neo cons would be proud of this situation.

 

[petros]

Fentanyl: Fentanyl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They never gave me lollipops before I had my surgery, just fentanyl stickers without the goo. Going off them was relatively easy compared to quitting cigs.

 

[lone wolf]

I wonder if a lot of oxy gets out on the streets issued by clinic doctors who really don't know their patients - or how many clinics those patients have visited that day

 

[petros]

I wonder if a lot of oxy gets out on the streets issued by clinic doctors who really don't know their patients - or how many clinics those patients have visited that day

Specialists have to do the initial Rx and then it is pased off to a pain clinic or another specialist. All Rxs are closely monitored by College of Physicians and Surgeons who can cut the patient off at anytime.

 

[lone wolf]

Specialists have to do the initial Rx and then it is pased off to a pain clinic or another specialist. All Rxs are closely monitored by College of Physicians and Surgeons who can cut the patient off at anytime.

I know how it's supposed to work for folk who play within bounds. I know of a few people who go by different names - and a couple who can come up with proper identification for them. Wherever there's a system, there are people who will play it

 

[petros]

I'd get new friends. In the mean time opiates will be phased out little by little as other pain management formulas are approved.

 

[lone wolf]

I'd get new friends. In the mean time opiates will be phased out little by little as other pain management formulas are approved.

Did I say they were friends?

 

[SLM]

I came across this while browsing the online news today.

Ont. doc accused of unprofessional conduct

A doctor who runs a network of methadone clinics across Ontario has been accused of disgraceful and unprofessional conduct.

Concerns have been mounting since the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario issued a notice of hearing against Dr. Michael Varenbut, who opened Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC), a network of 42 methadone clinics, including the Owen Sound site.


Ont. doc accused of unprofessional conduct - Crime - Canoe.ca

While not directly related the OP, it certainly could have an impact if these clinics end up closed and we end up with a lot more addicts suffering withdrawal due to the delisting.

 

[bill barilko]

Anyone going to start a Dead Junkie Watch thread?

 

[shadowshiv]

Considering withdrawl gives you the ****s, I wouldn't be so sure about that. LOL

At least you would know where they were going, as there would be a long skid mark on the ground following them!8O

 

[petros]

Not exactly yellow bricks leading to the wizard is it?