Addiction experts are applauding new provincial restrictions on OxyContin and the drug replacing it, but say Canada needs a national strategy to tackle widespread abuse of prescription painkillers.

The move to replace the prescription painkiller OxyContin with a newer formulation less prone to misuse won't solve the crisis of widespread abuse, experts say, unless there is additional training for physicians and treatment for addicts.

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has pleaded guilty to charges that he broke into a house and possessed prescription painkillers.