OxyContin Addiction Strikes PRC Commissioner
OxyContin addiction has been the downfall of many public figures. Most recently, Jerome Block, Jr., the commissioner of the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) publicly acknowledged a two-and-a-half year battle with prescription drug addiction.
"I've been battling an addiction with prescription pills, medication and it's something that's been rough. I've been getting treatment for it," Block, a 34-year-old Northern New Mexico Democrat, told reporters.
Despite acknowledging an addiction to oxycodone, the active ingredient in OxyContin, and being asked to resign by the PRC and members of both major political parties, Block has refused to step down from his post. Instead, he announced that he will leave his fate to the voters in the 2012 election.
"You know, the people of New Mexico District 3 elected me to be here … they could not re-elect me you know, that voice will speak and that is the way I will step down," Block said.
Leading up to the announcement of his struggle with OxyContin addiction, Block allegedly misused a state-issued gas card and drove on a license that was suspended for failure to appear in court after a careless driving traffic citation. He is also facing criminal charges for misusing public funds from his 2008 campaign and missed roughly one-third of the PRC meetings in the past year.
While a "committee of inquiry" may evaluate the charges against Block, House Speaker Ben Luján has declined to initiate impeachment proceedings, which he noted would be costly and premature.
Block is by no means the only public figure going through a public battle with OxyContin addiction. OxyContin addiction has destroyed the lives of other celebrities and politicians in the past decade, including Rush Limbaugh, Courtney Love, Lindsey Lohan and Jack Osbourne.
OxyContin addiction treatment has changed the lives of these and other celebrities. With counseling, 12-Step work and education about the disease of addiction, people learn a new way of life, free from OxyContin addiction.