The popular painkiller known for it's high abuse potential is being reformulated. According to the food and drug administration, the new formulation of OxyContin would prevent the medication from being cut, broken, chewed, or crushed.
In February, a man was found dead at a Lake City Knights Inn, shortly after robbing a local drug store. Last month, a surveillance camera helped catch the man who allegedly robbed the Tower and Archer road CVS...and on Friday, 21- year-old Melissa McCauley used a handgun to get what she wanted at another Archer road CVS.
"OxyContin. Oxycodone. They have become an everyday part of the drug community," says Art Forgey, spokesperson for the Alachua County Sheriffs Department.
According to the Florida Department of Law enforcement, Oxycodone was the biggest killer among illicit-drug users in the state. From January to June 2009, Oxycodone caused 499 deaths, heroine caused 53.
"The person who is addicted to strong medications like OxyContin has a structurally and functionally affect on the brain, and it's no longer a choice...it becomes a need" said University of Florida assistant professor Dr. Gary Reisfield, who helps those battling addictions to pain killers.
Florida is one of the few states that currently does not have a prescription monitoring program. Recent legislation will bring such a program to the state by December.
"That will give the doctors the tools to see whether their patients are getting these strong pain medications from other providers, whether they're engaged in the so-called doctor shopping," said Dr. Reisfield.