June 26, 2003 Dr. David Mitzan pleaded guilty to charges that he forged prescriptions for Oxycontin and billed his insurance company for the drugs. Oxycontin is a time-released pain reliever that is often abused and is the cause of many crimes.

Dr. Mitzan, a chiropractor, created fraudulent prescriptions by forging signatures of doctors he knew in a professional capacity. He then filled these prescriptions at a CVS pharmacy in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and his insurance company was billed for the costs. (United States Attorney 2003)

The effects of OxyContin are similar to heroin. OxyContin can be cheaper than heroin or even free, if it is covered by insurance. Once insurance coverage stops, users may switch to heroin, because its street price is lower.

OxyContin sold on the street for $1 per milligram in 2001.

The high street value of OxyContin makes it a lucrative target for fraud perpetrators. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, “Street prices vary depending on geographic location, but generally OxyContin sells for between 50 cents and $1 per milligram. Thus, the same 100-tablet bottle purchased for $400 at a retail pharmacy can sell for $2,000 to $4,000 illegally.”(National Drug Intelligence Center 2001)

In 2001, many eastern states, including Maine, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, considered OxyContin and other oxycodone abuse the biggest drug abuse threat they face. Since then, abuse of OxyContin has spread to other states, usually starting in rural areas.

References

Oxycontin Diversion and Abuse. Johnstown, PA: Department of Justice, 2001. Available: National Drug Intelligence Center.

New Bedford Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Oxycontin by Fraud. 26 Jun. 2003. Boston: Office of the United States Attorney District of Massachusetts. Available: United States Attorney.