Renfrew County Oxycontin Committee launches oxycontin awareness campaign

	Renfrew County and District Health Unit

The "Buzz" Campaign warns about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers

The misuse of OxyContin and other opioid pain killers is a major public health concern in Renfrew County and across Ontario. The Renfrew County OxyContin Committee is launching the "Buzz" Awareness Campaign to highlight the dangers of misusing OxyContin and other prescription pain killers.

OxyContin is a powerful opiod-based prescription pain killer that can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Misuse of OxyContin can lead to addiction and even death. Overdose related to prescription pain killers has increased 49% between 2002 and 2006. According to the recent Ontario Student Drug Use Survey (2009), use of prescription pain killers has surpassed tobacco use to become one of the top three drugs being used by students between grade 7 and 12.

The “Buzz” campaign aims to build awareness among young adults about the risks of abusing OxyContin. Many young adults who have used OxyContin without a prescription report getting the drug from home, thus it is important for parents, grandparents, and other adults with prescription pain medications to be aware of the potential dangers of OxyContin misuse.

The campaign’s posters and information sheets remind individuals about safe, responsible use of OxyContin and other opioid pain killers, which includes: only using pain killers as prescribed by your doctor, storing pain killers in a secure location, and returning all unused pain killers to any pharmacy.

OxyContin campaign materials are being distributed throughout Renfrew County and District to health care providers, high schools, post-secondary institutions, and other community agencies such as police departments and municipal recreation sites.

For more information about the “Buzz” campaign, contact the Health Information Line at 1-800-267-1097 or 613-735-8666.

Understanding OxyContin (PDF, 46 KB, 2 pages)

"Buzz" campaign poster (PDF, 224 KB, 1 page)

The OxyContin Committee is a partnership between Addictions Treatment Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Columbus House, Mackay Manor, Pathways Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services, Renfrew County Community Withdrawal Management Services, Ontario Treatment Addiction Centre, Renfrew Police Department, and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit. The stakeholders on the committee are working together to develop local strategies to inform and address the misuse of prescription opioids, including OxyContin, in Renfrew County and District.

Renfrew County and District Health Unit "Promoting Healthy People in a Healthy Environment"