Oxycodone, a powerful opioid pain reliever, has become a significant concern due to its increasing abuse and diversion from legitimate medical use. While prescribed to manage severe pain, oxycodone, particularly in the brand name OxyContin, has found a dangerous parallel market on the streets. Understanding the Oxycodone Street Price is crucial to grasping the economic incentives driving its abuse and the challenges in combating this aspect of the opioid crisis.
The Allure and Danger of Oxycodone Abuse
The abuse of oxycodone products has seen a disturbing rise. Early studies, like one published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2000, indicated a growth in medical use without a corresponding increase in illicit abuse at that time. However, data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) quickly contradicted this initial finding. By 1998, DAWN Medical Examiner data showed a significant 93 percent surge in oxycodone mentions compared to the previous year. Emergency Department mentions related to oxycodone also jumped by 32.4 percent between 1997 and 1999, signaling a growing public health issue linked to oxycodone abuse.
The perception that addiction to prescription opioids used under medical supervision is rare has contributed to a complex situation. While the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests addiction under legitimate medical use is uncommon, concerns about potential addiction still lead some physicians to limit prescriptions of potent opioid pain medications. Paradoxically, research indicates that individuals with genuine pain may experience less euphoria from opioids, potentially making them less prone to abuse compared to those seeking the drug for its euphoric effects.
Tragically, the abuse of OxyContin has resulted in numerous deaths across states like Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. For instance, in Pike County, Kentucky, the coroner reported 19 OxyContin-related deaths in 2000 alone. Southeastern Kentucky saw seven overdose deaths in December 2000, and Ohio and Virginia also reported multiple fatalities linked to OxyContin during similar periods. West Virginia reported five OxyContin-related overdose deaths in a short span in the summer of 2000. These incidents highlight the lethal consequences associated with oxycodone abuse.
Methods of Oxycodone Abuse and the “Poor Man’s Heroin” Label
OxyContin tablets are designed for slow release of oxycodone when swallowed whole. However, those who abuse the drug often circumvent this mechanism to achieve a rapid and intense high. Common methods include chewing the tablets or crushing them into a powder for snorting. Due to oxycodone’s water solubility, crushed tablets can also be dissolved and injected intravenously, a particularly dangerous route of administration that leads to an almost immediate and powerful effect. Drug treatment professionals in Kentucky observed a rapid escalation of intravenous OxyContin use, even among individuals with no prior history of injection drug use, emphasizing the drug’s potent appeal and addictive nature.
OxyContin and heroin share similar effects, making them attractive to overlapping populations of drug abusers. Despite its considerable street price, OxyContin is sometimes referred to as “poor man’s heroin.” This comparison underscores its potency and the demographic it attracts, even though the economics of OxyContin on the street are far from “poor.”
Decoding the Oxycodone Street Price: From Prescription to Illicit Market
The economic dynamics of oxycodone are starkly illustrated by the difference between its legal retail price and its illicit street price. A 40 mg OxyContin tablet, which might cost around $4 when prescribed, could be purchased for approximately $400 for a bottle of 100 tablets at a retail pharmacy. However, once diverted to the illegal market, the street price escalates dramatically. Generally, oxycodone street prices range from 50 cents to $1 per milligram. This means that same bottle of 100 40mg tablets, legally acquired for $400, could fetch between $2,000 and $4,000 on the street.
For individuals with health insurance, OxyContin can be relatively accessible, as insurance often covers a significant portion of the cost of doctor visits and prescriptions. This accessibility, however, inadvertently contributes to diversion. When insurance coverage lapses or when abusers can no longer afford the inflated street prices, some turn to cheaper alternatives like heroin. This shift has been observed in states like West Virginia, where the availability of lower-cost heroin is attracting oxycodone abusers, even those who have never previously used heroin.
The following table from the Cincinnati Police Department Pharmaceutical Diversion Squad in November 2000, provides a snapshot of the price discrepancy:
| Strength | Licit Retail Price per tablet | Illicit Retail (Street) Price per tablet |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | $1.25 | $5 to $10 |
| 20 mg | $2.30 | $10 to $20 |
| 40 mg | $4.00 | $25 to $40 |
| 80 mg | $6.00 | $65 to $80 |
| 160 mg | $14.00 | unknown |
These figures demonstrate the significant mark-up and profit potential in the illicit oxycodone market, driven by demand and the addictive nature of the drug. It’s important to note that oxycodone street prices can fluctuate based on geographic location, availability, and local market dynamics.
Conclusion: Addressing the Oxycodone Street Price and its Impact
The oxycodone street price is not just a number; it represents a complex interplay of factors fueling the opioid crisis. The high profitability of diverted oxycodone incentivizes illegal distribution networks, while the relatively lower cost of diverted prescription drugs compared to heroin can act as a gateway for some users. Understanding these economic drivers is essential for developing effective strategies to combat oxycodone abuse. These strategies must include stricter prescription monitoring, enhanced law enforcement efforts to disrupt illegal supply chains, and robust treatment and prevention programs to address the demand that sustains the illicit oxycodone street price. By tackling both the supply and demand sides of this issue, communities can work towards mitigating the devastating consequences of oxycodone abuse and the opioid crisis.
