The State of Oxychusetts

**RobertPaulson** · 10-22-2012, 01:49 PM

http://thephoenix.co/Boston/news/145950-prescription-opioids-have-wreaked-havoc-on-the-bay/

Nationwide, the opioid epidemic is out of control. Deaths from prescription-opioid overdoses tripled between 1999 and 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; there are now over 15,000 such deaths annually, more than from heroin and cocaine ODs combined. In a 2010 report, the White House acknowledged that addiction to opioids is the "fastest-growing" drug problem in America.

In Massachusetts, the problem is particularly acute. New Englanders entered substance abuse treatment facilities in 2009 for opioids at a rate twice as high as the national average, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network. While the treatment admission rate for heroin declined nationally, admissions for opioids increased by 430 percent.

The effect on the Commonwealth has been devastating. Between 2002 and 2007, 78 Massachusetts soldiers died in Afghanistan and Iraq. During the same period, more than 3200 Massachusetts residents died of opiate-related overdoses.

Read more: http://thephoenix.com/boston/news/14...#ixzz2A3ErxO53

**MRE** · 10-22-2012, 01:54 PM

The hospital near me changed their ER policy to not issue prescriptions for pain medication anymore. They will treat you the same, although if you need meds after you leave, you have to get the script from your primary care physician. This is an attempt to reduce the drug seekers getting their fixes at the ER.

**Mr. Wolf** · 10-22-2012, 01:55 PM

That's not a real problem. There are high capacity magazines in Massachusetts and collapsible stocks and we need to focus on that.

**Boghog1** · 10-22-2012, 02:19 PM

good things there are laws and regulations to prevent this

**Boris** · 10-22-2012, 02:23 PM

when are we going to see Ban Hi Cap Assault Opioids sign over MassPike?

Is crack an opioid? Too many people smoke it in Mass.

***chris*** · 10-22-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by W1IM

The hospital near me changed their ER policy to not issue prescriptions for pain medication anymore. They will treat you the same, although if you need meds after you leave, you have to get the script from your primary care physician. This is an attempt to reduce the drug seekers getting their fixes at the ER.

My buddies ex-wife was barred from all ERs within the 128 belt due to her addiction to painkillers.

Chris

**Mustad** · 10-22-2012, 02:31 PM

This stuff have ruined alot of good lifes. I have had to cut ties because once someone is addicted they will do anything for a fix including robbing family and friends. Most the people I know got addicted from legit scripts.

**drgrant** · 10-22-2012, 02:32 PM

I think they should just provide dumpsters full of the things for free and let the problem sort itself out that way. At least that way the addicts won't be robbing people anymore for the things.

-Mike

**Another_David** · 10-22-2012, 03:23 PM

Here's one small contributing factor: the prescription co-pay.

I went for sinus surgery and the doctor tells me I'll be uncomfortable after but he'll write me a script and I can get it ahead of the surgery so I have it when I need it. I go and fill the prescription and they hand me 30 percs. I was like, oh shit, what am I in for? But long story short: they prescribe 30 so you "have more than enough" and don't get dinged for your co-pay twice. I used 2. They helped with the pain a few hours post surgery but otherwise they just made me feel a different kind of sick. I trashed the rest a few days later.

but I can only imagine some people eating these like skittles, because after all the dr. wrote the script

and it reads, take 2 twice a day or as needed

**Knuckle Dragger** · 10-22-2012, 03:34 PM

At least our meth problem isn't as bad as elsewhere!!!!

I wouldn't be surprised if our rate of continued opioid abuse wasn't tied in some way to our reliance on Methadone.

The State of Oxychusetts

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