Treatment Admissions for Abuse of Narcotic Pain Medications Doubled in Ten Years (7/26/04)
In the ten years between 1992 and 2002 treatment admission rates for abuse of narcotic pain medications more than doubled, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported. The report, "Treatment Admissions Involving Narcotic Painkillers 2002 Update" shows that these admissions increased for all ages, but especially among people aged 20 to 30.
"Narcotic pain medications are wonders of modern medicine for patients with serious pain who are under the care of physicians," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. "When diverted from their legitimate use, however, they are highly addictive narcotics that the body perceives exactly as if the person were taking heroin."
The report is based on SAMHSA data compiled in the Treatment Episode Data Set. This is a compilation of data on the demographic characteristics and substance abuse problems of those admitted for substance abuse treatment. The report is located at www.oas.samhsa.gov
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