Louisville, KY (WDRB) -- Prescription drug abuse is leading to overdoses and even death in Louisville.
Oxycontin was reformulated making it harder to abuse. Now, Louisville Metro Police are seeing another pain killer called Opana on the streets. Opana is a prescription pain killer that many have found easy to get illegally. And people are using these pills to get high.
Sgt. John McGuire of LMPD's Prescription Drug Diversion Unit says these cases are hard to investigate because some people do have legal prescriptions.
McGuire says, "A 40 milligram pill goes for about $60, but we are seeing where at times that price is going up." Those addicted want the pain meds so bad, it's leading to theft in homes and violent crimes. Police are seeing all ages and income levels affected.
The drug is also highly addictive. McGuire says, "We even worked a case lately where a lady has been on hydrocodone and oxycodone for a long period of time and never really came up with an addiction issue and at one point was given half of an Opana pill and has been addicted to Opana ever since."
Children are also becoming addicted. McGuire says, "Prescription drugs are the drug of choice for 12 and 13 year olds." That's why Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway says it's important to educate middle and high schoolers about pill dangers. He's taking his presentation to local schools.
Conway says, "We have a mother who unfortunately lost her daughter to prescription pill abuse. She's part of the program." He says her testimony is strong because the mother looks like many of the students' mothers, so they can identify with her.
Educators are teaching students, it's okay to tell on a friend, because it could save their life.
Dan Orman, the Oldham County Schools Assistant Superintendent says, "Kids are watching out for each other. They want to do that anonymously as much as possible that's a very positive aspect of it."
LMPD says it appears 14 people in Louisville have died so far this year from drug overdoses. Police are still waiting for the medical examiner's report. The number of overdoses last year 113 and it was 100 the year before.
McGuire says there are a lot of things people can do to help the drug abuse problem. He says, "If they are affected in some way reach out to someone, provide us with information or get people treatment." People are also urged to lock up their prescriptions.
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