An addiction specialist at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Community Medicine believes that addiction is an unfortunate disease.
"Addiction is an illness that has psychiatric and moral symptoms. At the end of the day, addiction is a brain chemistry disease," said Dr. William Yarborough.
Yarborough believes that public attitudes about addiction are making the problem worse. "We also have to kind of get away from the idea that the drugs themselves are evil."
According to the 2010 National Drug Threat Assessment, the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs is a "serious and increasing problem."
Deaths from prescription opiate painkillers rose 98 percent between 2002 and 2006. In Oklahoma, 14 percent of drug deaths in 2007 were from hydrocodone or oxycodone.
Since 2001, Oklahoma has experienced a 76 perecent increase in drug overdose deaths. Eighty-six percent of drug overdose deaths in 2008 were from prescription drugs. Oklahoma was the first state in the country to monitor federally controlled prescription drugs, creating nationwide databases designed to catch people who are doctor shopping. It has been successful in reducing the amount of doctor shopping.
Some addicts in Oklahoma have turned to the veterinary profession, either stealing from veterinarians or diverting drugs prescribed for animals. In the past five years, 12 veterinarians have reported thefts of buprenorphine, ketamine and diazepam, according to the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medicine Data. During that time, six complaints were filed with the board concerning allegations that veterinarians were diverting morphine, diazepam, hydrocodone and buprenex for their own drug use.
Xylazine is an anesthetic and muscle relaxant and a veterinary drug. It has been abused for its euphoric high. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics frequently alerts veterinarians about compounds sought by addicts. Iodine crystals are an ingredient in a new recipe for making methamphetamine. It is presenting a new challenge for law enforcement.
