The Prescription Drug Problem analyzes the growth of the prescription drug abuse problem from 1994 to 2014 and includes comparisons to marijuana and hard drug use during the same period. Specific attention is given to prescription opiate abuse and the transition from prescription opiates to heroin.

The book begins with a broad overview of the prescription drug problem in the U.S., while the text presents stories of celebrities who have struggled with prescription drug abuse, highlights a handful of ordinary Americans who are battling prescription drug abuse, and examines as case studies a few communities that have been ravaged by prescription drug abuse. Drawing upon demographic patterns of abuse to identify causes of and factors contributing to prescription drug abuse as well as possible solutions to the problem, the book is designed to provide a broad overview of the prescription drug abuse problem in the U.S. and stimulate additional research.

Features

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the prescription drug crisis in the U.S.
• Compares the current prescription drug abuse crisis in the U.S. to past drug epidemics in U.S. history
• Identifies the most common causes of prescription drug abuse in the U.S.
• Examines possible solutions to prescription drug abuse in the U.S.
• Questions the public and political reactions to the prescription drug abuse problem