In its original formulation, the extended release oxycontin could be easily crushed without losing much potency. Other opiates have long had measures to combat this; fentanyl, for example, is frequently prescribed in patch form; extended-release morphine turns to an unusable gel if you crush it.

Purdue's sales practices are important, yes, but the impact all this has had on pain patients is severe; attitudes like "why is fentanyl legal" and the comment that started this thread are hurting people with real medical needs.