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Abstract: 

Dr. Lawrence Duda’s article on prescription pain medication abuse places narcotic prescription abuse as America’s new leading addiction, replacing alcohol. The implications for the traffic safety community are profound. Police agencies do not have enough Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) to combat this new epidemic on the roadways. Duda’s conclusions reflect the situation in New York State, yet this is a nationwide problem that appears to be increasing, especially among youth. Prescription pills are accessible in the home and can be more easily obtained than alcohol. Over a decade ago, IDU first reported OxyContin® abuse on native Alaskan reservations.

Keywords: oxycodone; hydrocodone; overdose; Responsible Medication Prescribing Guideline Panel; Urine toxicology

Affiliations:  1: NYSDA Chemical Dependency Committee.