NIDAMED Resources for Medical and Health Professionals - NIDA >> HHS HealthBeat​: Overprescr​ibed, overdosed

Overprescribed, overdosedNovember 9, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an oversupply of prescription painkillers is fueling an epidemic of overdoses.
Properly prescribed, these drugs are important for patients. But a lot of the drugs wind up on the streets, through thefts from patients’ homes, forgery rings, doctor shopping, illegal online sales, and some doctors who prescribe improperly.

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden:
"Prescription painkillers kill 40 Americans every day. Last year, doctors prescribed enough painkillers for every adult in America to take for a month."  (9 seconds)
People who use prescription painkillers can help by storing them in a safe place.
The report is in the Vital Signs section of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
NIDAMED Resources for Medical and Health Professionals - NIDA