Community-Coalition On Drug Awareness

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) considers prescription drug abuse to be an epidemic in this country. 

In some states, the per capita rate of death from prescription drug overdoses now exceeds the rates of death from auto accidents, gunshot wounds and non-prescription street drugs. 

Some patients become addicted after using these drugs for legitimate purposes, but many prescription drugs are also diverted from legitimate use into recreational use. 

This recreational use can start as early as elementary school or middle school; most children obtain these drugs from their family’s medicine chest or from a friend. 

Additionally, the CDC states that the rate of prescription drug overdose among women is rising at an alarming rate.

 Montana Prescription Drug Registry

Is there a prescription drug problem in Montana?

Yes, and the rate of death due to prescription painkillers in Montana has been increasing. 

The February, 2013, issue of Montana Public Health has an excellent article giving the most current Montana statistics, as well as information on how health care providers can reduce prescription opiate misuse.