PRESCRIPTION ABUSE

When drug abuse is mentioned, substances such as heroin, crack
cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy or marijuana readily come to mind.
But of 69 accidental drug overdoses in Marion County last year, all
but eight involved prescription drug abuse, not illegal substances. An
estimated 6.2 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2002.

Although a recent study indicates illegal drug use among adolescents
is at its lowest point since 1998, an increasing number of young
people are abusing prescription drugs such as Ritalin and OxyContin.

The Bush administration has announced an overdue crackdown on
prescription drug abuse. Internet sites will be targeted. States will
be encouraged to adopt prescription drug monitoring programs.

Indiana monitors prescriptions for the most addictive opiates but
needs to include other abused drugs. Doctors need to be cautious about
over-prescribing addictive drugs. Parents need to monitor Internet
drug purchases by their children.

The biggest drug abuse danger lurking these days might not be from a
South American drug cartel, but in your bathroom medicine cabinet or
via the computer.