AHS Views

A recent report from the United Nations says the drug problem is stabilizing. “For almost all drugs — cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines — there are signs of overall stability, whether we speak of production, trafficking or consumption,” said Antonia Maria Costa, head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Of that’s the case, why are drug rehab centers still busy?

Could it have anything to do with the fact that prescription drugs are taking over the drug scene? They’re easier to get, cheaper, legal to possess and some give you the same high as heroin? Why not?

Fortunately, many cities and states are starting to do something about it. A new law in Tennessee, for example, makes doctor shopping illegal for those with specific insurance providers, and it’s illegal to fraudulently obtain prescriptions. With enough states cracking the whip, we might see a change in the trend toward prescription drug abuse – and in the skyrocketing admissions into drug rehab treatment programs that can help with prescription drug addiction.