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.