Should OxyContin even be Legal? Petition to Ban Oxy is Making Rounds

i have never seen so much misery and sorrow inflicted on so many,i am a recovered x junkie who only smokes grass recreational y and i thank god for mt life everyday,as i also thank him that oxycotion did not exists when i was so young and foolish i see young people buying from the old people with medical conditions [the old people say this drug knocks them out] so they sell it to young people for lots of money so they can make ends meet their disability checks are not enough to pay their rent and have air conditioning in summer or heat in winter, and its really sad. they are making junkies that cant ever get well their lives will never b the same ever again,and methadone kills too i think the manufacturers should pay for the many lives they have taken and it should be completely outlawed,they should be taxed with finding a better drug to get people off this stuff and help people live not die a lot of kids or youngster get high because they think its cool cause a friend they look up to is doing it they don't know each trip could be their very last time they will ever have any control over what their gonna do to get the next high. pharmaceutical cos are supposed to make medicines to help u when you are sick not make u so sick u want to die, and some people will never wash clean all the things they did just to get high. where i live their is a new home invasion everyday because of it even straight people have no safety it used to b a great place to live now thanks to Florida so called lose laws on this drug its destroyed my home my life etc,and i think despite this economy many people love the beautiful state but don't feel its a safe or friendly place anymore not cause of the oil spill but the heroin pipeline and its synthetic evil twin. i think the executives of the companies who whitewashed it to congress and the fda ought to go to real prisons and suffer side by side with the animals that were once somebody's babies and see the ramifications of what they have done! then we can ask if the money still makes them feel good or sick! everyone deserves a second chance in this life jesus christ himself even said so on the cross but w oxy there are very few second chances for anyone it is evil and everyone is prey!

i have never seen so much misery and sorrow inflicted on so many,i am a recovered x junkie who only smokes grass recreational y and i thank god for mt life everyday,as i also thank him that oxycotion did not exists when i was so young and foolish i see young people buying from the old people with medical conditions [the old people say this drug knocks them out] so they sell it to young people for lots of money so they can make ends meet their disability checks are not enough to pay their rent and have air conditioning in summer or heat in winter, and its really sad. they are making junkies that cant ever get well their lives will never b the same ever again,and methadone kills too i think the manufacturers should pay for the many lives they have taken and it should be completely outlawed,they should be taxed with finding a better drug to get people off this stuff and help people live not die a lot of kids or youngster get high because they think its cool cause a friend they look up to is doing it they don't know each trip could be their very last time they will ever have any control over what their gonna do to get the next high. pharmaceutical cos are supposed to make medicines to help u when you are sick not make u so sick u want to die, and some people will never wash clean all the things they did just to get high. where i live their is a new home invasion everyday because of it even straight people have no safety it used to b a great place to live now thanks to Florida so called lose laws on this drug its destroyed my home my life etc,and i think despite this economy many people love the beautiful state but don't feel its a safe or friendly place anymore not cause of the oil spill but the heroin pipeline and its synthetic evil twin. i think the executives of the companies who whitewashed it to congress and the fda ought to go to real prisons and suffer side by side with the animals that were once somebody's babies and see the ramifications of what they have done! then we can ask if the money still makes them feel good or sick! everyone deserves a second chance in this life jesus christ himself even said so on the cross but w oxy there are very few second chances for anyone it is evil and everyone is prey!

i have never seen so much misery and sorrow inflicted on so many,i am a recovered x junkie who only smokes grass recreational y and i thank god for mt life everyday,as i also thank him that oxycotion did not exists when i was so young and foolish i see young people buying from the old people with medical conditions [the old people say this drug knocks them out] so they sell it to young people for lots of money so they can make ends meet their disability checks are not enough to pay their rent and have air conditioning in summer or heat in winter, and its really sad. they are making junkies that cant ever get well their lives will never b the same ever again,and methadone kills too i think the manufacturers should pay for the many lives they have taken and it should be completely outlawed,they should be taxed with finding a better drug to get people off this stuff and help people live not die a lot of kids or youngster get high because they think its cool cause a friend they look up to is doing it they don't know each trip could be their very last time they will ever have any control over what their gonna do to get the next high. pharmaceutical cos are supposed to make medicines to help u when you are sick not make u so sick u want to die, and some people will never wash clean all the things they did just to get high. where i live their is a new home invasion everyday because of it even straight people have no safety it used to b a great place to live now thanks to Florida so called lose laws on this drug its destroyed my home my life etc,and i think despite this economy many people love the beautiful state but don't feel its a safe or friendly place anymore not cause of the oil spill but the heroin pipeline and its synthetic evil twin. i think the executives of the companies who whitewashed it to congress and the fda ought to go to real prisons and suffer side by side with the animals that were once somebody's babies and see the ramifications of what they have done! then we can ask if the money still makes them feel good or sick! everyone deserves a second chance in this life jesus christ himself even said so on the cross but w oxy there are very few second chances for anyone it is evil and everyone is prey!

well it isn't legal, of course through prescription it is, but then so is marijuanna,... My heart goes out to all of those affected by Oxycontin in negative was, but cocaine kills and drunk drivers kill more than any drug, on this planet...

Its actually ignorant to say that one drug is worse than another, its up to the people that use the drugs to understand what they are putting in there body, oxycontin cannot do anything by itself, much like a hand gun cannot to anything by itself.

the only resolution to this problem would be to legalize all of these drugs and have coffee shops where you can go and use while supervised, maybe like a drug user must apply for a card to be able to use these "coffee shops" where trained proffesionals are on hand to minimize the risk of overdose or drug combinations.

Its evolution, you cannot stop evolution, and more and more people rely on drugs for various reasons, If you want to save the economy than legalizing these drugs would be a big step, eliminating mindless crime, suicides, drug overdoses etc. all the while destroying the drug trade and profiting from it, the money can be put into social programs, for the poor or, for those who want to quit but dont know where to turn.

I have never taken or participated with prescription medicines such as xanax, oxycontin, percosets, or methadone. But I have seen what it can and WILL do to people if they abuse. Even if they don't abuse the medicine they become dependant on it, eventually they become addicted, and as time goes by their lives go down the drain.

I am 21 years old and these prescription medicines have caused me more suffering and sorrow than anyone can imagine. My whole family has been torn apart because of these medicines. I watched my mother for 10+ years sell her life away. Because of these medicines my mom was never really a part of my child hood life. Nor was my father who I didn't even talk to until I was 18 years old, he too has fallen to the addiction of prescription medicines.

As for the rest of my family (most) have fallen to the addiction of prescription medicines. All they think about is a pill and how they can snuff it up their noses or inject it into their bodies. Prescription drugs take over ones life whether they want it to or not. Eventually, gradually you become addicted. It is the inevitable if you are a long time user.

Many beautiful lives are torn to shreds because of these government provided drugs. In my opinion it is the ruination of the world and will be a downfall to mankind if they dont rid the world of these drugs. I hate prescription medicine for how it has effected me in my life, I have seen more suffering than most, and I am only 21.

I know that I am not alone, I know that their are people that have suffered like I have, we need to bring this epidemic plague of prescription narcotics to an end.

ok lets ban prescription drugs like oxycontin so that people will go resort to heroin and then they will definatly ruin there life or even overdose, it just makes sence, because people dont have any control over their own actions, its not their fault they are addicted, oxycontin calls people on the phone and urges them to try it, and then when they try it, the oxycontin tells them that if they stop taking it than it will kill them, cause just like when somebody committs a murder, the gun is the one whos responsible for killing, not the person pulling the trigger

I to have both parents, two brothers, my oldest son, and many family members addicted to this pain medication. It kills me to see this when I visit them because that is all they talk about pills, pills! Thats all that matters my mom never took a asprin, my son my son he now shoots up heroin because he can no longer afford oxycotin. The goverment needs to step in now they caused they need to be held responsible, also the insurance companies and doctors they are just legal pushers. By God I hope these people never have to experience this and I hope you all sleep good with your big bank accounts because that there is all that matters you bastards.

Christina you are a fool as there are plenty of people in such chronic pain that they need a VERY STRONG PAINKILLER like Oxycontin to just get out of bed each day, but because of this chronic pain they do not become addicted to it. I know this for a fact first hand as I have a cousin who was in a terrible car accident & after having multiple back surgeries reall need that powerful painkiller just to get through his painful day!

First of all she is probably not referring to the ppl that "need" it... Though in all fairness I'm not so sure these ppl exist. She is referring to those junkies who don't "need" it and are taking it to get high and ruin their lives. No one wants to associate with a person who is drooling on themselves and nodding out while your trying to hold a convo w/ them... Like this is really really sad that you would defend this DRUG... Ppl are dying for no reason because this DOPE is readily available... It's nasty and anyone who takes it is pretty damn nasty :/

You are so right! I'm sorry for your pain and for all those comments that people "choose to do oxycontin". They do, but the doctors and pharmaceutical companies are the pushers and it is destroying peoples lives. If you have not been unfortunate and had this drug affect your life and a loved one than you should read up and see what it does to lives. The pharmaceutical companies knew it was addictive, still put it on the market, been sued over it and continure to destroy lives. Ban this drug. We have done without it for so many years and if you knew how many people were prescribed it and sell it for money you would be shocked. I was given it for tennis elbow. How rediculous is that?! Fortunately I couldn't handle it, it was too strong so they said they would give me a lower dose. I still couldn't handle it and no child or adult should ever be prescribed it again! It has caused so much pain and misery to a loved one which in turn has caused so much pain and misery to family and other innocent people. We also lost a kind and caring friend about a year ago. He took it and never woke up! They can't stop because it is "dangerous to stop on your own" They suffer so much pain and horrible withdrawl so they are forced to do it again and again. Guess what, guess who put a drug out there to help with withdrawl and the addiction? the pharmaceutical company again. Guess what? It's addicting too! Money, money, money is their goal and they should be imprisioned. Please, if you haven't educated yourself on this drug don't comment negatively about the people who are suffering! Ban this drug!! Have the pharmaceutical companies open drug rehabilitation centers all over the country for people who can not afford a $30,000+ rehab. Cut down overdose, suicide, crime and pain!!

You are so right! I'm sorry for your pain and for all those comments that people "choose to do oxycontin". They do, but the doctors and pharmaceutical companies are the pushers and it is destroying peoples lives. If you have not been unfortunate and had this drug affect your life and a loved one than you should read up and see what it does to lives. The pharmaceutical companies knew it was addictive, still put it on the market, been sued over it and continure to destroy lives. Ban this drug. We have done without it for so many years and if you knew how many people were prescribed it and sell it for money you would be shocked. I was given it for tennis elbow. How rediculous is that?! Fortunately I couldn't handle it, it was too strong so they said they would give me a lower dose. I still couldn't handle it and no child or adult should ever be prescribed it again! It has caused so much pain and misery to a loved one which in turn has caused so much pain and misery to family and other innocent people. We also lost a kind and caring friend about a year ago. He took it and never woke up! They can't stop because it is "dangerous to stop on your own" They suffer so much pain and horrible withdrawl so they are forced to do it again and again. Guess what, guess who put a drug out there to help with withdrawl and the addiction? the pharmaceutical company again. Guess what? It's addicting too! Money, money, money is their goal and they should be imprisioned. Please, if you haven't educated yourself on this drug don't comment negatively about the people who are suffering! Ban this drug!! Have the pharmaceutical companies open drug rehabilitation centers all over the country for people who can not afford a $30,000+ rehab. Cut down overdose, suicide, crime and pain!!

I have used Oxy. fore 10 years it has given me my life back use it RIGHT don't ban it!

The suggestion to change oxycodone to a schedule I drug of no medical use is absurd. First off, oxycontin does not have a molecular structure, it is a brand name time released preparation of oxycodone. Oxycodone is not nearly identical to heroin in molecular structure. The molar mass alone is substantially different. Oxycodone is substantially closer to codeine and hydrocodone in chemical structure but I suppose saying that isn't as sensational.

In terms of abuse potential, Oxycodone is actually a substantial improvement. It has a very good ratio of pain killing ability to euphoria. It has a very good therapeutic index, the ratio between the LD50 and the ED50. Most importantly with regard to abuse potential is its oral bioavailability. Morphinan opioids have a tendency to have fairly low oral bioavailabilities. For example, morphine has a 30% oral bioavailability. This means that every pill of morphine when crushed and injected turns into over three times as much drug as the doctor intended to prescribe. Hydromorphone has a 25% oral bioavailability and oxymorphone it's 10%, meaning a typical oral dose of this drug turns into ten times as much when illicit users inject them. A fairly small dose of oral oxymorphone turns into ten times as much if it is abused. Oxycodone on the other hand has a 90% oral bioavailability. Since hopefully you agree that narcotic analgesics are currently a necessary evil, wouldn't you prefer that the amount prescribed doesn't multiply when in the hands of illicit drug users?

From a pharmacology perspective, oxycodone is actually somewhat less addictive, and less euphoric than other opioids of similar pain killing efficacy. When compared to an oral dosage oxycodone is slightly stronger than morphine. However, when compared to a parenteral dosage of morphine it is about 1/2 as strong, and 1/4 to 1/8 as strong as heroin depending on the method used for comparison. With intrathecal administration or by measuring receptor affinity, the differences in potency become even more exaggerated. As you probably know it is quite a bit less potent, quite a bit less euphoric and quite a bit less addictive. I don't see why you'd want to outlaw a drug that is so much better than the alternatives unless you're hoping that both licit and illicit oxycodone users end up moving to stronger drugs Parenteral dosing is a much better measure of the overall strength of a drug since it represents the actual amount of the drug that ends up in the bloodstream.

The high rate of addiction has more to do with the fact that there's less of a social stigma associated with prescription drug abuse than there is with similarly addictive drugs. Many oxycontin users start out thinking that heroin is a dirty nasty dangerous street drug that turns you into a street urchin, but somehow rationalize that oxycontin is safe, clean, of a higher economic class and more stylish. This can be reflected in the much higher cost per equivalent dosage compared to heroin.

From what I've seen posted on this site, I feel that the general outlook is somewhat tied to the old Christian belief that it is a sin to treat the symptom of pain, because it is an act of defiance against god's will or that pain is somehow necessary to the healing process. Opioid analgesics are a blessing and not a curse.