Americans have a reputation abroad of being somewhat gluttonous. Granted our food portions are three sizes too large as are our waistlines. Thus it is not surprising they were gluttonous when it comes to drug use too.
Americans consume 80 percent of the world's supply of painkillers -- more than 110 tons of pure, addictive opiates every year -- as the country's prescription drug abuse epidemic explodes. This according to the Daily Mail.
That's enough drugs to give every single American 64 Percocets or Vicodin. The situation looks even bleaker. Pain pill prescriptions continue to surge, up 600 percent in ten year, thanks to doctors who are more and more willing to hand out drugs to patients who are suffering.
As more people get their hands on these potentially-dangerous drugs, more are taking them to get high. Almost 15,000 people die per year from prescription medication abuse -- more than from heroin and cocaine combined.
With the surge in addiction to prescription meds, it is no surprise that police have noticed a huge increase of other crimes by people who are addicted to oxycodone and hydrocodone, the key ingredient in most prescription pain pills.
If you or someone you care about abuses prescription medication please seek help ASAP. If you prefer to maintain anonymity there are online eight hour drug classes too.