Pubdate: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 Source: Quad-City Times (IA) Section: Pg A5 Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times Contact: http://www.qctimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857 GOVERNMENT FEARS ABUSE OF MEDICATION WASHINGTON - Four million Americans are abusing prescription drugs, including sleep-deprived people who become addicted to sedatives and family members who sell spare pills on the street, the government says. Pharmaceuticals designed to relieve pain, calm stress or bring on sleep provide great benefit for millions, but when the drugs are used for non-medical reasons they can lead to addiction and damaged health, said Alan I. Leshner, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Leshner announced Tuesday that the NIDA and seven organizations representing the elderly, pharmacies, drug manufacturers and patients are starting a campaign to combat what he called "a dangerous new drug abuse trend" - the nonmedical use of prescriptions. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth