With upscale overdose deaths like these the families will certainly want to keep the whole episode low profile.

Over the past two years, OxyContin abuse has been cited as a likely contributing factor in 300 overdose deaths nationwide.

Some will argue that reducing overdose deaths will encourage drug use.

Federal officials have said misuse of the drug was a likely factor in about 300 overdose deaths in the last two years.

It is rare for doctors to be charged with such serious crimes in connection with patients' overdose deaths.

Prescription drugs are now involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

There is good evidence that potency isn't the most significant risk factor in overdose deaths.

The study did not try to determine whether OxyContin alone was responsible for the deaths because the overdose deaths typically involved multiple drugs.

The drug agency has identified OxyContin as a likely factor in 296 overdose deaths since January 2000.

There had been 13 by Monday and another apparent overdose death the next day.