Pennsylvania Sees Abuse of 'Narco-Pops'
Pennsylvania Attorney General Jerry Pappert has warned that a narcotic
painkiller lollipop is being abused because of its ease of use and
sweet taste, the Associated Press reported April 28.
Actiq, dubbed the "perc-a-pop," is designed to provide
pain relief for young cancer patients. But Pappert said law-enforcement
officials are seeing a growing trend in illegal street sales of
the drug.
Manufactured by Cephalon Inc., Actiq is a berry-flavored lozenge
on a stick that contains the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The drug
is absorbed when the user rubs the lozenge against the inside of
the cheek.
"We're starting to see it emerge as a drug that is ... diverted,"
said Kevin Harley, spokesman for state Attorney General Jerry Pappert.
"It's a drug that is easily administered or taken by somebody
who might be afraid to either take a pill, snort, or inject a needle
in their arm."
Stacey Backhardt, spokeswoman for Cephalon, said, "there has
not been a substantial diversion of this product in the state or
elsewhere." However, she added that, "like any opioid,
there is a potential for misuse."
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