Take Appropriately

     It is probably shocking to most Americans that more people in America die from drug overdose than die from automobile crashes.  Even more shocking is the fact that of all the deaths attributed to drug overdose, cocaine and heroin were not the main drug of choice for the addict,  prescription drugs were the main cause of death.
     Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic.  An epidemic enhanced by the ease at which anyone can go from doctor to doctor and legally obtain almost any prescription  Opioid  over and over again.  Doctors are quick to prescribe powerful drugs to treat chronic pain and well they should but it's up to the patient to use the powerful narcotics appropriately.  The rise in prescription drug death clearly reflect that they are not!
     The nature of addiction makes it hard for the addict to break their cycle of abuse when prescription  Opioids are so easily obtainable.  If that cycle is ever broken it won't be at the hands of the addict, it lies in the hands of doctors who prescribe the narcotics.  No label on any prescription bottle  or lecture from a sober mortal will ever convince an addict to take their medication as directed.  Each time a powerful prescription Opioid is prescribed it should be mandatory that it be entered into a federal database and that the doctor prescribing the medication check that data base to see if the patient has a history of abusing or even using that drug.   We are in the mist of a very troubling epidemic.  These measures are essential if we want to beat prescription  drug abuse. and save the lives of many Americans.