Tighter Controls on Painkillers Increases Need for Drug Education Class

Can it be true that the Food and Drug Administration just recommended tighter controls on how doctors prescribe the most commonly used narcotic painkillers just last month? This seems like a recommendation that should have occurred many, many months ago.

Finally! The move represents a major policy shift, so that widely-abused drugs, which contain the narcotic hydrocodone, should be controlled as tightly as more powerful painkillers like OxyContin. As reported in www.nytimes.com.

The change would reduce the number of refills patients could get before going back to see their doctor. Patients would also be required to take a prescription to a pharmacy, rather than have a doctor call it in. While I agree with the first clause, having a chronically pained person take the added step of going to the doctor seems a bit much. Although, it is a step in the right direction.

Did you know that prescription drugs account for about three-quarters of all drug overdose deaths in the United States? The stats are staggering. The number of deaths from narcotic painkillers, or opioids have quadrupled since 1999. Drugs containing hydrocodone represent a huge share — about 70 percent — of all opioid prescriptions, and the looser rules governing them have contributed to their abuse.

The FDA is late in taking action. So many addicts become addicted accidentally as the medications present a great risk. If you or anyone you care about is abusing, or even using prescription pain medication, I suggest you educate yourself by taking a basic 8 hour drug class. If you prefer to maintain anonymity take one online from the comfort of your own home.