Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse
South-central Connecticut sees largest increase in painkiller use
August 20, 2007
The use of prescription painkillers is more prevalent in south-central Connecticut than any other part of the state, and doctors aren't exactly sure why. The area saw a 657 percent increase in the use of oxycodone, the chemical used in OxyContin, between 1997 and 2005 Story
Idaho oxycodone use climbs dramatically
August 20, 2007
Prescriptions for oxycodone-based drugs—the highly effective pain relievers often called "hillbilly heroin" because of their potential for abuse—have increased 575 percent in Idaho between 1997 and 2005 Story
Some areas of Montana see explosive growth in painkiller sales
August 20, 2007
Certain areas of Montana have seen an explosive growth in painkiller sales in recent years, especially in oxycodone-based drugs, which include Oxycontin, a pain reliever that has the potential to become highly addictive. Story
Wyoming lacks oversight over any prescription drug deaths
August 20, 2007
Wyoming has seen a sharp increase in prescription painkiller use over the past decade. Story
Sales of three painkillers increase in Mo.
August 20, 2007
Sales of three major painkillers have been on the rise in Missouri in recent years, and while that brings the potential for more drug abuse, health officials largely credit better efforts at pain management for the increase. Story
Lax oversight has addicts flocking to Florida for painkillers, authorities say
August 20, 2007
While more than 30 other states have taken steps to monitor the legal sale of heavy-duty painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, Florida has stalled -- and that has black market dealers and addicts flocking to the state Story
Nebraska painkiller trends parallel national trends
August 20, 2007
Nebraska pharmacists aren't surprised that retail sales of the prescription painkillers oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine have jumped significantly in recent years while sales of codeine and meperidine fell. Story
Sales of pain-killers in Washington state up 96 percent since 1997
August 20, 2007
Ten years ago, Washington state began a major push to make sure doctors weren't undertreating pain. The change was revolutionary for people dealing with chronic pain, but it was also a boon for drug dealers and those with addiction problems. Story
Arizona use of 3 of 5 top painkillers soars
August 20, 2007
Prescriptions in Arizona increased for hydrocodone, the generic form of Vicodin or Lortab, by 187 percent; for morphine by about 377 percent — more than twice as much as nationwide — and for oxycodone, the generic version of Oxycontin or Percodan, by 640 percent. Story
Kentucky oxycodone sales quadruple
August 20, 2007
Purchases of prescription painkillers have soared in Kentucky in recent years, but experts say the trend is leveling off. Story
OxyContin sales soared in southern Indiana from '97 to '05
August 20, 2007
Indiana residents coping with chronic pain - or those simply looking for a high - fueled a dramatic surge in retail sales of pain killers such as OxyContin between 1997 and 2005, particularly in the far southern portion of the state Story
Usage of three painkilling drugs jumps in Ohio
August 20, 2007
Oxycodone use in Ohio rose 689 percent, while morphine and hydrocodone use both increased 149 percent. Oxycodone includes Oxycontin and Percodan. Hydrocodone includes Vicodin and Lortab Story
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