vanguard blog | June 13, 2011 | 8 comments

"Oxycontin Express" rolls into Boston

Drug dealers in Massachusetts

In 2009, I filed a report called "The OxyContin Express," detailing the rampant over-prescription of opioids by many Florida doctors and the impact that this was having, not only in Florida, but also Appalachia and the tri-state area. We saw users from Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio all journeying to Florida painclinics, attracted by promises of lax regulations. In Florida, doctors prescribe Oxy at five times the national average.

This year, I travelled to Massachusetts to investigate a heroin epidemic that has Boston, and its suburbs, in its grip. I was not surprised to find painkillers, specifically OxyContin, once again at the heart of the problem.

Talking to Boston natives in the trenches of addiction and to the dealers that serve them, I realized that what might have started out as a small-time hustle has evolved into a large-scale operation, a corporation of sorts, with connections reaching back to a familiar place—Florida.

Prescription pills have become as much a part of the street dealing landscape as cocaine or crack. OxyContin pills have traveled all the way up the Eastern coastline, and by the time they make it to Boston, one pill can be sold for as much as $80. A bad Oxy habit can cost up to $800 a day. This is a habit often too expensive for young users to maintain, and in most cases it isn’t long until they develop a cheaper, yet more lethal addiction to heroin.

It was so devastating to see how a person’s life could be so quickly derailed, simply by getting prescribed a painkiller after an injury. People who never would have envisioned putting a needle in their arm just a year ago are now full-blown heroin addicts. It’s an addiction that crept up on many in Boston. Those who abuse pills often times think that they are different than your average heroin addict on the street and feel invulnerable to a possible heroin addiction. But as Rebecca, a heroin addict herself, so grimly told us, "I always say to my friends, keep doing this for a bit longer and you’re going to be a heroin addict." Most don’t listen.

Officials in Massachusetts recognize that the painkiller problem is no longer one with a localized solution. Drowning in a sea of prescription pills and unwilling to resign themselves to the role of damage control they, along with officials from other states affected by the lack of regulation in Florida, have increasingly vocalized their frustrations. In the meantime however, behind the doors of suburban middle-class Boston, a new heroin epidemic is ravaging a community, and creating addicts on every block.

"Gateway to Heroin," the follow-up report to the award-winning "The OxyContin Express," premieres on Monday, June 20 at 9/8c on Current TV.

Watch a trailer here or below: 

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    Drugs,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  Heroin,  1 more
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8 comments // "Oxycontin Express" rolls into Boston

  • DeanAllen
    • 0
      DeanAllen  

    • I recently watched the report on Oxycontin Express, how people are abusing this medicine deeply disturbs me. There is another side to oxycontin that not many people hear about. We only hear the negative that comes from the drug and people abusing it. I have had a broken back for 25 years, because of these injuries my doctor placed me on Oxycontin back in 2003. Without oxycontin, I would be incapable of every day life activities. With this medication, I can live some what of a normal life. In the 8 years that I have been on this medication, not once have I ever sold a pill. Only a few people from my family are aware of my prescription, because of the fear of having my prescription stolen. If oxycontin is used in the right way, it can be beneficial to someone who really needs it.

    • 7 months ago
  • ajtvargas
    • 0
      ajtvargas  

    • This documentary was AMAZING!!! I knew Florida had issues but I assumed it was the individuals and not businesses. My sister is caught up in this vicious system and NOW I understand why. Thank yo soo much for your dedication to inform others and keep up the great work!! There ARE people out there that support what you do! God Bless you and keep you all safe!

    • 10 months ago
  • jen54
    • 0
      jen54  

    • This is a situation that is hurting so many. Kids are losing parents, parents are losing children, husbands and wives are losing spouses, brothers and sisters losing eachother....I could go on and on. I lost a spouse to suicide because of an oxy addiction. If you are hooked get help, don't put more families through this, if you are selling it or prescribing it irresponsibly you have caused death just as much as if you handed a gun to someone and encouraged them to use it on themselves. Be ashamed of yourself if you feel good about making money on someone elses life..

    • 11 months ago
  • mariaatlihanqz
    • 0
      mariaatlihanqz  
    • Image

    • There are various drug detox in Rhode Island and drug rehab programs which are available ranging from prescribed drug detox and drug rehab. Finding the right one depending on your situation is quite hard. There are people who can assist in helping patients in finding the right treatment. Information in getting help is easily accessible through the internet.

      http://detoxinrhodeisland.net/

    • 11 months ago
  • TheCynicalPharmacist
    • +2
      TheCynicalPharmacist  

    • I'm looking forward to seeing this. The Oxycontin Express was fantastic investigative journalism which first opened the public's eyes to just how pervasive prescription drug abuse is in America.

    • 12 months ago
  • DrsVictim
    • +2
      DrsVictim  

    • This problem will not go away when the people who are entrusted to enforce the laws have drug problems as well. Their is a Dr. in Boston who has been writing prescriptions to pay his bills for many years even causing overdose deaths. Yet nothing is being done because of his many patients who are Police. This Dr. and his associates were so brazen that while they were being sued by 2 insurance companies for overbilling in excess of 1.8 Million and 2.5 Million Dollars they even tried to kill the lead Attorney for one of the insurance companies. The person who supposedly hired the 3 men to assault the DR. also threatened to cut My F**king head off over my cell phone heard by members of the Board of Registration in Medicine and a State Trooper and nothing was done. The corruption goes to the highest levels in this state.

    • 12 months ago
  • trxie1985
    • +1
      trxie1985  
    • DrsVictim:

      This is unbelievable. I just can't believe that its gone this far. I am a victim as well. My partner is addicted to pills, and there's nothing I can do to help. I wish there was something I could do, on a more large scale. How to get people involved to see and open their eyes and help keep it from getting worse throughout the United States so that other families don't have to be put through this.

    • 11 months ago
  • DrsVictim
MarianaVanZeller

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