Prescription drugs in public spotlight

Baltimore News.Net
Saturday 4th July, 2009

Since Michael Jackson's death, prescription drugs have come under scrutiny throughout the US.

Many people are believed to be falling victim to prescription drug abuse, with teenagers and young adults amongst the most susceptible.

Many celebrities, including the late actor Heath Ledger and Elvis Presley, were victims of prescription drugs.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has said the problem is not only limited to celebrities, and addiction to prescription medications is becoming more common.

There is a growing belief that physicians should be held more accountable for prescribing drugs that could lead to overdose.

It has been suggested a competency test should be mandatory for doctors prescribing medications that are derived from opium.

In many cases, people do not get drugs from a physician directly, but mostly from family or friends or simply from bottles that have been left in medicine cabinets.

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