The drug most closely associated with the opioid epidemic in this country is OxyContin – often known as just Oxy. There’s been so much notoriety around this highly addictive prescription painkiller that many people assume it’s illegal.
As long as you have a valid prescription for it, you can take it legally. It can be a godsend to people in serious pain due to cancer or other illnesses and injuries. While law enforcement at all levels continues to crack down on doctors who overprescribe the drug, often through “pill mills,” Oxy can still be badly abused. Moreover, when people can no longer get it, they often turn to street drugs like heroin to feed their addiction.
The reason Oxy was initially and wrongfully marketed as having a low rate of addiction is because it is formulated to relieve pain over hours – not immediately. However, when crushed, snorted, chewed or injected, the effects can be felt immediately. Taking it in any of these alternative manners increases the risk of addiction substantially.
Be careful how you carry it
If you’ve been prescribed OxyContin by your doctor for severe or chronic pain, you have a legal right to take it. However, it’s wise to ensure that if you carry it with you anywhere, you keep it in its original bottle with your prescription information on it. If you don’t want to carry a whole bottle around with you, put only as many pills as you need in the original bottle – not in a pill carrier or one of your pockets. This is a good idea for any kind of medication you’re prescribed for pain, anxiety or ADD/ADHD that’s considered a controlled substance.
If you are facing drug charges for possessing a controlled substance, even one for which you have a valid prescription, you should seek legal guidance to protect your rights and your future.