A popular Northeastern supermarket chain will stop carrying the controversial pain medication OxyContin in its pharmacies due to an increasing number of robberies involving the drug. A spokesperson for Stop & Shop, which has over 300 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, said in a press release that the "safety of the customers" was the defining factor in the decision. Stop & Shop will continue to order OxyContin from wholesalers for patients with prescriptions but the drug will likely take days to arrive.

OxyContin, originally introduced in 1996, was initially considered a wonderful advance for individuals suffering excruciating pain from terminal cancer or other diseases and injuries. However, addicts quickly found that the drug produces effects similar to heroin if it is inhaled or injected.