OxyContin contains oxycodone, the medication's active ingredient, in a timed-release tablet. Oxycodone products have been illicitly abused for the past 30 years. 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 individuals who abuse this Drug do so to gain euphoric effects, relieve pain, and to avoid Withdrawal symptoms. Those who take the Drug repeatedly can develop a Tolerance or resistance to the drug's effects.

Extent of Use:

According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.8 million persons aged 12 or older had used OxyContin nonmedically at least once in their lifetime. This is a statistically significant increase from the 1.9 million lifetime users in 2002.4 A questionnaire about OxyContin was included in the 2002 Monitoring the Future Study for the first time.

During 2003, 1.7% of 8th graders, 3.6% of 10th graders, and 4.5% of 12th graders reported using OxyContin within the past year. During 2004, 1.7% of 8th graders, 3.5% of 10th graders, and 5.0% of 12th graders reporting using OxyContin within the past year.5 During 2003, 2.2% of college students and 2.6% of young adults (ages 19-28) reported using OxyContin at least once during the past year. This is up from 1.5% and 1.9%, respectively, during 2002.6

Trends in Drug Abuse:

OxyContin diversion and abuse were reported as emerging in 13 of the 20 Pulse Check sites, including Baltimore, MD; Billings, MT; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Memphis, TN; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA.7 Only 4 Pulse Check sites reported OxyContin to be widely available and more than half reported it to be somewhat available. OxyContin abusers in Pulse Check sites tend to be over 30 years old, although young adults (18-30 years) are emerging, and white.