I-Team: The Roots Of Opioid Addiction

BOSTON (CBS) – Here is a staggering statistic from the opioid crisis: 80% of all narcotic pain medication is used here in the United States. For many people who become addicted to these types of drugs, their problem starts with a prescription from a doctor. Tom Foye remembers when his wife picked up his prescription for OxyContin after he had surgery. “I took my first OxyContin. I just felt this warm wave come over my body, and I have to say it was nothing like I have ever felt before. It was bliss. I remember saying, ‘Wow,’ and this was after my first one, I can see how someone could become addicted to this stuff.” I-Team: On The Front Lines Of Opioid Crisis Addiction wasn’t supposed to happen to Foye, a highly decorated police lieutenant in Ludlow. But it did, and out of desperation, he was soon stealing drugs from the evidence room at the police station. Former Ludlow Police Lt. Tom Foye (WBZ-TV) “I had a pharmacy at my disposal,” said Foye. “It called my name. It just called my name, and that’s the disease of addiction.” Foye got caught. After 26 years of putting bad buys behind bars, he was on the other side of the law. About his arrest, Foye said “I just stood up and put my hands up, and I remember thinking, thank God it’s finally over.” Foye was recently released from prison. The popularity of opioid based pain killers has soared in recent years. Many patients are addicted by the time their prescription runs out. In Massachusetts, 4 ou...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health i-Team Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Heroin opioid crisis Ryan Kath Source Type: news