Derek Boogaard Tribute: Died From Alcohol And OxyContin Mix

As the New York Times reported, we are reminded of the dangers of combining potent pain medications and alcohol:

"Derek Boogaard of the Rangers died from an accidental overdose of the drug oxycodone mixed with alcohol, the office of the medical examiner in Minnesota’s Hennepin County announced Friday.

Derek Boogaard, 28, was an enforcer for the Rangers. He had 3 goals, 13 assists and 589 penalty minutes in 277 N.H.L. games.

In a statement, the office attributed the cause of death to “mixed alcohol and oxycodone toxicity.” It also said the death was an accident.

Boogaard’s family released a statement Friday acknowledging Boogaard was battling addiction at the time of his death and had played in pain for years.

Oxycodone is a powerful and addictive painkiller. In a time-release form, the drug is known as OxyContin. Mixing any form of oxycodone with alcohol can increase the danger of a bad reaction.

Boogaard, a 28-year-old enforcer, was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment by family members on May 13."