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After Jackson DEA republish prescription drug abuse warning
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In response to numerous calls triggered by Michael Jackson's sudden death, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) republished on their website a May report on prescription drug abuse.
The DEA warned that more people died from drug abuse than in shootings, and in the category of accidental deaths it came only second to car accidents. [AP]
The celebrity gossip site TMZ.com reported Friday that about an hour before Jackson lost consciousness, he had been administered an injection of the powerful painkiller Demerol by his doctor (Dr. Conrad Murray) who had been living with him in his rented home.
Jackson's family spokesperson, Brian Oxman has also issued statements surrounding Jackson's use of prescription drugs.
Jackson's autopsy results which came in Friday afternoon showed no signs of foul play, however, toxicology reports won't be available for another 4-6 weeks -- at which time an actual cause of death can be determined.
On Prescription Drug Abuse: Over 8,500 deaths nationwide involved prescription pain relievers in 2005, the latest year for which data are available, an increase of 114 percent since 2001. Emergency room visits for nonmedical use of pain relievers increased 39 percent from 2004 to 2006. Treatment admissions for prescription opioids increased 74 percent from 2002 to 2006. Nearly one third of individuals who began abusing drugs in the past year reported their first drug was a prescription drug: 19 percent indicated it was a prescription opioid. Thus, 1 in 5 new drug abusers are initiating use with potent narcotics, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone.
Most of those needing treatment were aged between 18 to 25, the agency added, and said that between 2003 to 2007 some six percent of Americans in that age group had admitted using prescription drugs for non-medical uses.
Most obtain the drugs by stealing them, hooking up to false Internet pharmacies or from friends and relatives.
"Diversion and abuse of prescription drugs are a threat to our public health and safety similar to the threat posed by illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine," said Gil Kerlikowske, director of national drug control policy.
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