New OxyContin formula sparks an increase in heroin abuse
Many people are well aware of the prescription drug addiction trend in America. For many, it is deemed more acceptable than abusing street drugs because the medication can be obtained with a doctor’s permission. Prescription drug abuse doesn’t hold the same stigma as other hard drugs, yet it takes more lives than all other illicit drugs combined. According to the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, nearly four out of five people who use heroin started with prescription painkillers. Ironically enough, an attempt to hinder the excessive abuse of the popular prescription opioid OxyContin has actually caused a spike in the amount of people switching over to heroin. Read more