I agree it's a terrible problem. In Canada I don't think we have pain clinics. We have common clinics but they're not allowed to give scripts for narcotics. People have to get narcotics from their family docs or treating physician. Even still, some people manage to convice more leniant doctors for the strong ones like oxycodone.

I heard it's one of the most addictive pain pills out there. My brother, the one who killed himself, fell on the job and injured his back. This is the brother who was also an alcoholic. He stopped drinking for a while and I think he just replaced one addiction for the other - becoming hooked on oxycodone. Many times people will go to several clinics and scripts - to deal them on the street. This drug should only be given under very strict conditions for a short period of time to chronic pain patients.......not to anyone claiming they hurt their back.