An Insight into Additional Factors in Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a serious public health issue that is trending upward and shows no signs of slowing. The war on drugs is no longer confined to those substances such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy, but now includes legal prescription medications. The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health issue and the increasing diversion of prescription drugs for illegal use is causing concern among government officials. Doctor shopping is a term generated by the addiction and reliance on prescription medications as patients actively seeks doctors who will prescribe certain types of medications, usually opiates, depressants, and stimulants. Prescription monitoring programs shall prove to be an effective system in identifying and preventing the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs at both the pharmacy and patient levels.