I, am of the humble opinion that there are several reasons why prescription drug abuse has increased so markedly over the past several years. One is, as the article states, that people perceive prescription drugs to be safer than street drugs. That becomes obvious when not used in accordance with prescribed dosaging recommendations; i.e. they become deadly. Also with the advent of the internet (GEEZ, imagine that) there is so mcuh greater avaliablity of prescription drugs and the possbility of poly drug overdose is VERY EASY.

For example, Just get a neophyte prescription drug user (who happens to come across a website such as buymeds or erxonline etc. etc. (a bunch of them out there with absolutely NO REQUIREMENTS) and buys then takes several 2mg xanax tablets, combined with several 10 mg hydro's and throw in some alcohol and wallah you have a drug overdose and it seems that no one can explain why!!!!

Also there is much greater emphasis placed on taking of prescription drugs (just watch TV) and you will see a litany of commercials about taking prescription drugs. People might then go to there PCP and demand medicines which in the past might not have occurred because the public wasn't so well informed.

It all makes very good sense.