Prescription Painkillers Turning Hoosiers Into Full-Blown Junkies

Indiana health officials say that something needs to be done about the epidemic of prescription drug abuse that is sweeping across the state and turning average citizens into full-blown junkies.

According to Attorney General Greg Zoeller, the real drug problem in America has less to do with cocaine, heroin and hallucinogens, and more to do with the drugs people are obtaining from their local physician and pharmacy – responsible for nearly 720 overdose deaths in 2011.

Unfortunately, medical personnel is challenged in determining who has a legitimate need for painkillers, like OxyContin and Lortab, and who is the drug seeking addict scouring system for their next fix.

Some experts say that the state needs more physicians trained to spot drug seekers, while others say that logic will only work on the transparent addict. Some people, such as those who sell their prescriptions, have learned to work the system so well that they didn’t fit the mold of the stereotypical drug seeker.

So, what is the state doing to put an end to this epidemic? Unfortunately, not much aside from relying on the synergy of medical and mental health professionals to spot and treat addictive behavior.