ACE Class Report # 91 : American Oxycontin Crisis.
Begin: 1/9/2025
Finish: 2/28/2025
Title: American Oxycontin Crisis
Instructor: Henry Ku
Why I choose to take this class:
To learn about opiate based drugs, its uses and its addictive properties. Knowledge about the oxycontin crisis will help me avoid opiate based prescription drugs to prevent addiction.
What I learned from this class:
Oxycodone:
Is a drug prescribed by physicians for the management of moderate to severe pain. It is an opioid drug, made from a chemical in the opium poppy called Thebaine. Oxycodone was first produced in Germany in 1916. At that time, scientists were searching for a less dangerous pain reliever to replace opium-based drugs. Taken orally, Oxycodone is twice as effective as morphine, Oxycodone is addictive. Laws restrict the availability of Oxycodone in the Untied States.
Oxycontin:
Oxycodone is used to treat severe pain due to cancer an other serious ailments. A popular slow-release form of the drug is sold under the brand name Oxycontin. Like other opioid drugs, Oxycontin can cause nausea, constipation and itching. Abruptly discontinuing the drug after prolonged use may result in withdrawal. Oxycontin is widely abused. Drug abuser may take it my crushing tablets and snorting into their noses. Some smoke the crushed tablets or dissolve and inject them. Oxycontin taken these ways reaches the brain quickly. There is causes an intense euphoria (feeling of well being). However, like other opioid drugs, Oxycontin decrease breathing and can be dangerous. Abuse of Oxycontin and similar pain relievers is the leading cause of fatal overdose.
Effects of Oxycontin:
Oxycontin belongs to the group of drugs called opiates. They are made from the sap of the Opium poppy. The dried sap of the poppy’s seed pods, contain a potent chemical called Morphine. Physicians use morphine to relieve severe pain. Codeine is a less potent opiate use to relieve coughs and mild pain. These drugs are used to relax the central nervous system, relieve pain, produce a sense of well being. The possible effects includes: restlessness, nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing, lethargy, mood swings and sweating. The long term effects includes: physical dependence, malnutrition, lower immunity, infection of the heart lining and valves, liver diseases, hepatitis or aids and fatal overdoses.
History of Oxycontin Abuse:
The Scheckler family who owned the Perdue Drug company developed Oxycontin a slow release form of Oxycodone. It was used to relive pain and last longer. They knew that Oxycontin was addictive. They provided incentives for doctors to prescribe Oxycontin, advertising, journal in AMA touting the effectiveness of the drug to legitimized the drug and other techniques to promote the drug. The OxyContin abuse was prevalent in the Mid Western states and Florida where prescription drug laws were not as restrictive. Doctors in Ohio and Florida would write hundred of Oxycontin prescriptions to anyone who say they needed them. Patient who use them would become addicted or would sell their drugs to other addicts. The addiction problem became so prevalent that about 100 people would die of Oxycontin overdose daily in Ohio and in Florida. Oxycontin was a drug approved by FDA. The US District Attorney had to declare the drug as addictive and illegal and stop its distribution. However, those addicted to OxyContin had to seek out heroine to feed their addiction. The Schekler family had to settle the law suit with the US Government and paid Billions in damages.
How will this class contribute to my success upon release:
Knowledge of Oxycontin and its drug abuse and addictive nature makes me aware of the effects of prescription drugs. This information will help us manage our prescription drugs and this information will be conveyed to the Geriatric and immigrant communities which I hope to volunteer my teaching, tutoring an mentoring services.
