Prescription Addiction, Diversion, and Abuse

UBC study of prescription drug use finds access good, but warns of misuse
October 1, 2009 Source: The Canadian Press
According to a new study, residents of British Columbia's smaller communities are at a greater risk of addiction and misuse of prescription drugs. Researchers found higher-than-average use of potentially addictive prescription pain killers in some communities and documented troubling patterns in the use of potentially addictive drugs, including sedatives and opioid pain killers such as morphine and oxycodone
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Taking the fun out of popping pain pills.
September 20, 2009 Source: New York Times
A 2008 federal survey found that an estimated 4.7 million Americans had used prescription pain relievers for nonmedical reasons in the previous month. The abuse of opioids now costs at least $11 billion annually in excess medical care. Although the advent of abuse deterrent opioids has helped discourage drug tampering, overdose risks remain for people who ingest too many intact pills. Additional strategies such as online prescription monitoring systems and comprehensive risk management systems are recommended to further diminish opioid abuse.
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The American Academy of Pain Management is the nation's largest interdisciplinary/integrative organization serving clinicians
who treat people with pain through education, setting standards of care, and advocacy.
© 2009 American Academy of Pain Management