Dr. Franklin Sutherland faces hundreds of years in prison for his conviction on 427 counts of illegally prescribing prescription drugs. Sentencing is set for Sept. 10. They also suggested Sutherland wrote many prescriptions because he was compensated each time by an insurance plan or Medicaid. OxyContin is a synthetic morphine used to treat severe cancer pain has become the illicit drug of choice in some parts of the country.
Users grind it up and either snort or inject it, seeking a high similar to that produced by heroin.
OxyContin has been blamed for 43 fatal overdoses since 1998. Copyright 2001, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Please read it.