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Abuse of painkillers reaches 'epidemic' levels in US | Abuse of painkillers reaches 'epidemic' levels in US |
(3 days later) | |
Abuse of prescription painkiller have reached "epidemic" levels in the US, a government report says. | Abuse of prescription painkiller have reached "epidemic" levels in the US, a government report says. |
Overdoses of pain relievers cause more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, the report has found. | Overdoses of pain relievers cause more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, the report has found. |
It says sales and prescriptions of the drugs have risen sharply in recent years and this was linked to the rise in overdoses. | |
Narcotic painkillers are prescribed to relieve chronic pain but the drugs can be "highly addictive", the report says. | Narcotic painkillers are prescribed to relieve chronic pain but the drugs can be "highly addictive", the report says. |
The report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said fatalities caused by narcotic pain relievers have more than tripled in the last 10 years - equivalent to 40 deaths a day. | The report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said fatalities caused by narcotic pain relievers have more than tripled in the last 10 years - equivalent to 40 deaths a day. |
Last year, a national survey on drug use and health showed that one in 20 Americans over the age of 12 said they had used painkillers for non-medical reasons. | Last year, a national survey on drug use and health showed that one in 20 Americans over the age of 12 said they had used painkillers for non-medical reasons. |
Named as the fastest growing drug problem facing the US, narcotic painkillers are increasingly used recreationally - for the high they cause. | Named as the fastest growing drug problem facing the US, narcotic painkillers are increasingly used recreationally - for the high they cause. |
Surging sales | Surging sales |
"Almost 5,500 people start to misuse prescription painkillers every day," said Pamela Hyde, administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a federal body. | "Almost 5,500 people start to misuse prescription painkillers every day," said Pamela Hyde, administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a federal body. |
Sales of the drugs to pharmacies and health care facilities have surged more than 300% since 1999, according to figures from the Drug Enforcement Administration. | Sales of the drugs to pharmacies and health care facilities have surged more than 300% since 1999, according to figures from the Drug Enforcement Administration. |
But prescriptions of the drug have risen sharply too. | But prescriptions of the drug have risen sharply too. |
The report says enough medicine was prescribed last year to keep every American adult medicated for one month. | The report says enough medicine was prescribed last year to keep every American adult medicated for one month. |
Florida was found to have the highest rate of sales of narcotic painkillers per person, almost three times the rate in Illinois, which had the lowest rate. | Florida was found to have the highest rate of sales of narcotic painkillers per person, almost three times the rate in Illinois, which had the lowest rate. |
Officials believe state health policies can help reverse the trend. | Officials believe state health policies can help reverse the trend. |
The report recommends tracking prescriptions more carefully and cracking down on "pill mills" (clinics that prescribe drugs inappropriately) and "doctor shopping" (when patients collect prescriptions from several doctors). | The report recommends tracking prescriptions more carefully and cracking down on "pill mills" (clinics that prescribe drugs inappropriately) and "doctor shopping" (when patients collect prescriptions from several doctors). |
"This highlights the importance of states getting policies right on preventing drug abuse," CDC Thomas Frieden told the Associated Press news agency. | "This highlights the importance of states getting policies right on preventing drug abuse," CDC Thomas Frieden told the Associated Press news agency. |
In 2008, almost 15,000 deaths were caused by prescription painkillers, including the death of actor Heath Ledger. | In 2008, almost 15,000 deaths were caused by prescription painkillers, including the death of actor Heath Ledger. |
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