Prescription Drug Abuse is a Global Problem

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 19, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Prescription Drugs | Comments are off for this article

Citizens of the United States have heard countless stories and warnings about the prescription drug abuse epidemic. Originally starting in areas where heroin was not easy to obtain, such as rural areas, pain pill misuse and abuse spread throughout the country. Now experts are watching other countries throughout the world succumb to the prescription drug epidemic as well.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) monitors the drug patterns throughout the world. The organization has reported that prescription drugs have moved up to the second most abused and trafficked class of drugs worldwide. Second only to marijuana, prescription drugs are making their mark around the globe including places like Europe, Asia and Australia.

Prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone make up much of the prescription drug problem, but stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers are included in this group as well. The INCB also reported that heroin and cocaine use has gone down, despite the recent surge in heroin use here in the United States.

Prescription drug trafficking isn’t just being done by criminal organizations, as there are reports that doctors around the world have also been a huge part of the problem through careless and sometimes intentional prescribing practices in exchange for money.

The INCB concurred with most experts in that most people seek out prescription drugs because they are considered safer than street drugs. This misconception has helped to encourage worldwide addiction problems.

Pharmaceutical Black Market Increasing

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 11, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Prescription Drugs | Comments are off for this article

The illegal drug trade deals in pharmaceuticals just as much today as street drugs. Oftentimes these types of drugs end up being fake, but the knock-offs and additives haven’t seemed to slow the market for them down. While much of this activity has traditionally started overseas, it appears as if more of it is occurring right here in the United States.

In response to the increased amount of illegal prescription drug activity, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently conducted a massive raid this year spanning multiple states. What was dubbed “Operation Pilluted” concluded with 280 arrests in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama for their role in the sale of illegal, and oftentimes fake, prescription drugs. Agents were able to seize over $18 million dollars’ worth of money and property.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 44 people die every day from prescription drug overdoses. The importance of this raid was that agents were able to prevent the drugs from hitting the market and infiltrating homes and neighborhoods throughout the country. However, it is clear that the demand is high enough that the drugs are likely to keep pouring into the U.S. Agents warn that the rise of technology and the increase in the number of people seeking these drugs means that vigilance is needed.

What it speaks of even more, however, is the job that lies ahead for people who are helping those recover from substance abuse and preventing addiction altogether.