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drug abuse
needs action
A story in Monday’s paper underscores the seriousness of prescription drug abuse in Columbus County.
According to an investigator with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, prescription drug abuse is at an epidemic level, and it’s particularly affecting young people.
“Right now, the illegal sale and use of prescription medication is as bad or worse than any illegal drug use in the county, including crack cocaine,” Lt. Bill Ingram told The News Reporter.
These drugs are getting into the general population in a variety of ways. A handful of doctors -- some not even in Columbus County -- are writing prescriptions for pain killers like Oxycontin like it’s candy. And, some people who probably need the pain medication are selling their pills to others for a profit.
Without question, most doctors are judicious and ethical when it comes to writing prescriptions for pain killers, but some are not.
The sheriff’s office says that many prescription drug abusers “doctor shop,” which means some practitioners are apparently more likely than others to dispense drugs without giving thought to the consequences.
This would be an excellent opportunity for the medical community -- our good doctors -- to take action to police their profession by calling in the state medical board to investigate abuses or by making it clear to their peers that these practices hurt people and will not be tolerated.