What is OxyContin.

OxyContin is a form of synthetic morphine taken in tablet form designed to kill pain over several hours. OxyContin is a trade named product for the generic narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, an opiate agonist. Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant, a very effective medication for mild to severe pain.

A 40 mg tablet of OxyContin by prescription costs approximately four dollars or four hundred dollars for a 100-tabley bottle in a retail pharmacy. OxyContin sells for between fifty cents and one dollar per milligram. The same 100-tablet bottle can be purchased for four hundred dollars at a retail pharmacy can sell for two to four thousand dollars illegally on the streets. OxyContin is, however, relatively inexpensive for those covered by health insurance, since the insurance provider covers most costs associated with doctor visits and the prescriptions.

OxyContin, also called the "poor man's heroin" is used by pharmacists and law enforcement officials were the first suppliers of this pain reliever.

English: Illustration of the pain pathway in René...

A field of opium poppies in Burma.

CIA Map of International drug pipelines

If a patient had Cancer, injuries, bursitis, dislocation, fractures, arthritis, lower back pain, or suffering dealt with chronic pain, a prescription was given to the patient. Overdoses occurred to many people after the doctors increased the dose of OxyContin in their medication. This illegal drug should only be swallowed whole and within twelve hours, another dose may be taken. Abusers ingest OxyContin in a variety of ways. The drug is often chewed, crushed, or snorted. Because OxyContin is water soluble, crushed tablets can often be dissolved in water and the solution injected. Abusers divert this drug in a variety of ways including pharmacy diversion, "Doctor Shopping" and improper prescribing practices by physicians.

OxyContin causes the increase of the amount of dopamine in the brain, which causes increased feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Withdrawal symptoms include "flu" like discomfort, muscle...