The Washington Post reports that nearly 21% of Americans, aged 12 and older, have used prescription medication for non-medical reasons. At the same time, we've seen more than a four-fold increase in the number of prescriptions handed out for opiate painkillers (like Percocet, Vicodin, and Oxytocin). Why are these drugs becoming more popular than illicit street drugs? The Post article cites two reasons. First, these drugs are available. Users will often shop around for doctors who will provide them with extra pills with minimal hassle. Second, there is a common misconception that these pharmaceuticals are less dangerous or addictive than street drugs. But the reality is, they activate the same opioid receptors as heroin.
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