April 26, 2011 
Drug abuse has been an issue for years. I think the advertisement on TV that has a drug dealer talking about getting less calls makes a point that I hear more and more – patients selling their prescription drugs to make money. Some of this is intentional, but some of this is opportunistic. You don’t have to go far to hear about seniors being arrested for selling their prescriptions to make money to pay bills (recent article).
And, recreational use or overuse of controlled substances is a growing problem.
“Unintentional drug overdose is a growing epidemic in the U.S. and is now the leading cause of injury death in 17 states,” Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Thomas Frieden was quoted as saying in a statement from the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. (source)
There are lots of stories about kids using prescriptions drugs for ADHD recreationally to help them study. There has probably been a switch over the years from stealing liquor from parents liquor cabinet to borrowing a few of their prescriptions (see story on 5 drugs kids steal most often). It’s a scary thought. (Or, this article says that 20% of the time adults are asking kids if they can use their ADHD medicine.)
The Partnership For a Drug-Free America‘s latest survey has 61 percent of teens reporting prescription drugs are easier to get than illegal drugs, up significantly from 56 percent in 2005. And 41 percent of teens mistakenly believe abuse of medicines is less dangerous than abuse of illegal street drugs.
Enabling Healthy Decisions 
Articles like this are why people with severe pain cannot get medications which would allow them to live normal lives. Doctors read this and assume we want to sell them for profit. Articles like this are irresponsible in the extreme, and I can assure you your position would be different if you were in constant severe pain.
I’ve posted prior articles on pain management. I agree it’s an issue, but it’s the people misusing the drugs that cause the issue not people who report the news.
George,
I know this is a serious issue, but it reminds me of a very funny Onion article: Adderall Receives Honorary Degree From Harvard.
Regards,
Adam