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How is Oxycontin Used
The power painkiller OxyContin is being abused
by more and more people across the nation. The heroin-like effects
of the drug attract both legitimate and illegitimate users.
When used properly, OxyContin contains a time-release mechanism
that spreads the release of the drug over a 12-hour period.
The time-release mechanism can be circumvented by crushing the
tablet and the drug can be used in one of the following ways:
- The
tablets can be chewed
- The
tablets can be crushed, then snorted like cocaine
- The
tablets can be crushed, dissolved in water, then injected
like heroin
OxyContin abuse is spreading for a variety of reasons. First,
the elevated opiate dosage makes it highly addictive. Second,
in contrast to drugs such as cocaine or heroin that can be laced
with other substances, with OxyContin you know how much of the
drug you are getting; the dosage is consistent, so it is a dependable
high. Finally, OxyContin is covered by most health insurance
plans, so it is significantly cheaper than street drugs. (OxyContin
has been referred to as "hillbilly heroin" or "the
poor man's heroin.")
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