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.
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