Greater Western Area Health Service executive Dr Russell Roberts has lifted the lid on the narcotics black market in Dubbo.
He has told of desperate addicts crushing illegally obtained opioid analgesic tablets to inject “hillbilly heroin” as the nation experiences a heroin drought.
Dr Roberts, GWAHS director of mental health and drug and alcohol services, said pain killer oxycontin is now injected more than heroin.
Oxycontin is a restricted drug, available only on prescription.
It is approved for a limited number of conditions, including severe back problems and pain resulting from cancer. Government authority is required for long-term use.
“Oxycontin is promoted as a wonder drug for pain and prescriptions have increased exponentially in the last two to three years,’’ Dr Roberts said.
“The drug is highly dependent and in demand. The health service has distributed education packs to doctors providing the latest information on pain management.
“We want doctors to be aware of people inappropriately seeking the drug. Some addicts and dealers go doctor shopping, moving from surgery to surgery.
“Others ramp up their symptoms to get an increased supply and sell what they don’t need on the black market.
“The problem occurs everywhere, including Dubbo.’’
Dr Roberts said illicit drug users know oxycontin is pure and are able to control the strength.
GWAHS offers support for oxycontin addicts trying to “get off dependence’’.
According to Dr Roberts, methadone is available on voluntary terms to help control withdrawal symptoms.
He warns of the danger of injecting any illicit drug and the risk of contracting Hepatitis C.
“The rate of Hepatitis C in the population is staggering,’’ Dr Roberts said.
“It is a chronic, hidden disease.’’
Dubbo consultant pharmacist Mark Rugendyke said security measures are in place at pharmacies to stop illicit drug users trying to collect prescriptions belonging to legitimate patients.
“Addicts and dealers will do anything to get what they want,’’ Mr Rugendyke said.
“The black market for narcotics definitely exists in Dubbo. Oxycontin and morphine analogues are in demand. People want them to sell or for their own use.”
Mr Rugendyke said heroin addicts use oxycontin to reduce craving. Benzodiazepines - including Valium and Mogadon - are also in demand.
“They are prescribed as sleeping tablets and to reduce anxiety but also help reduce the withdrawal affects of heroin,’’ he said.
“Opportunistic dealers are out there trying to source medications. Some present to doctors trying to come up with a suitable suite of symptoms, others set out to steal prescriptions or medicines.
“People hanging around dispensary counters at pharmacies are moved on. We don’t want customers being watched as they collect their prescriptions.’’
Mr Rugendyke said pharmacy staff are always on the look out for forged prescriptions.
And at times pharmacists “have their heart in the mouth” when they approach suspect customers to question if a script is genuine.
“There is always the worry that the person may become violent,’’ he said.
Mr Rugendyke recalled one forged script when the perpetrator readily admitted the crime.
“It was an extraordinary situation,’’ he said.
“I ended up walking the customer to the doctor’s surgery where an intervention was held.’’
According to the Australian Crime Commission, the illegal use of oxycontin escalated in the early 2000s.
By 2007, 51 per cent of a national sample of injection drug users in Australia had reported using oxycodone, and 27 per cent had injected it in the last six months.
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