By he HELP Committee and Havre Public Schools So, what is
OxyContin? According to the Food and Drug Administration,
OxyContin is a long-lasting version of oxycodone, a narcotic
considered important therapy for many patients suffering long-
term moderate to severe pain from cancer or other illnesses.
When swallowed whole, the tablet provides 12 hours of pain
relief. Unfortunately, oxycodone products are also illicitly
abused, by adults and youth alike. If chewed, snorted or
injected, OxyContin produces a quick, and potentially lethal,
high. It has been linked to hundreds of deaths. Abuse of
OxyContin reportedly originated in rural areas, causing it to be
referred to sometimes as "hillbilly heroin." OxyContin produces
opiate-like effects and is sometimes used as a substitute for
heroin. Illicit uses of OxyContin include crushing the tablet
and ingesting or snorting it. Most people who abuse this drug do
so to gain euphoric effects, relieve pain, or avoid heroin
withdrawal symptoms. Those who take the drug repeat