Deaths from opioid use have doubled, 5-fold increase in oxycodone deaths

“Deaths from opioid use in Ontario, Canada, have doubled since 1991 and the addition of long-acting oxycodone to the drug formulary was associated with a 5-fold increase in oxycodone-related deaths, found a new study http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj090784.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca. Most of these additional deaths were accidental.”

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-12/cmaj-dfo120109.php