Increase Abuse of Prescription Drugs

The NEJM has a good piece about the increased teen abuse of prescription drugs.

When Eric, an 18-year-old who lives in San Francisco, wants to get some Vicodin (hydrocodone–acetaminophen), it’s a simple matter. “I can get prescription drugs from different places and don’t ever have to see a doctor,” he explained. “I have friends whose parents are pill addicts, and we `borrow’ from them. Other times I have friends who have ailments who get lots of pills and sell them for cheap. As long as prescription pills are taken right, they’re much safer than street drugs.”

It’ll be interesting to see what civil suits, if any, come about as the predictable injuries occur.  Interesting questions of foreseeable misuse, physician responsibility, the responsibility of the parents from whom they’re “borrow[ing],” etc.