No comeback for OxyContin, despite bust: St. John's police

A massive seizure of OxyContin this week in St. John's is not an indication that the prescription drug is making a comeback in the city's drug trade, police say.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary seized cocaine and OxyContin on Wednesday night, during a routine car stop on Blackmarsh Road. Police estimated the drugs had a street value of $114,000.

Michael Dunn, 22, was charged Thursday in St. John's provincial court with two counts under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

As well as almost a kilogram of cocaine, police seized 761 tablets of OxyContin in the bust.

OxyContin had become such a prevalent problem in the city and other areas that the provincial government struck a task force to look at ways to curb its use. The task force's report, released in 2004, led to significant changes, including tamper-proof prescription pads, a methadonetreatmentprogram, and better monitoring of how narcotics are dispensed and to whom.

Const. Paul Davis said while the bust involved a large amount of OxyContin, the public should not jump to conclusions that use of the drug is on the rise again.

"I think it is a single incident and it wouldn't be prudent to try to reach any solid conclusion why this is," said Davis, adding that illegal use of OxyContin peaked in 2004 and 2005.

"We have seen a decrease in certain crimes we are relating to drug activity and those numbers have stayed stable since then," said Davis.

However, Davis added that OxyContin is still in use, and that addictions can lead to crime.

"I know from my own experiences as a police officer from people I've met in the past who are addicted to OxyContin, and they will tell you, quite openly, that when they have an addiction OxyContin, they feel there is no other choice but to service that addiction," he said.

Dunn was remanded to custody. He is expected to appear in court for a bail hearing on Friday.