Prescription drug abuse plagues our state and nation as a whole, and the statistics are shocking. 

• 718 Hoosiers died from accidental drug overdoses in 2011.

• One in five Indiana teens has admitted to abusing prescription medication.

• More people abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined.

In an effort to fight this issue, the Indiana General Assembly passed SEA 246, which provides oversight for prescribers of controlled substances, such as hydrocodone and methadone. It also gives the Indiana Attorney General more tools to investigate clinics suspected of overprescribing prescription pain medication.

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office also recently released the Bitter Pill website, offering facts, warning signs and resources for prescription drug addiction.

If you know someone struggling with prescription drug abuse, please seek help now. Together, we can help eradicate this problem from our society.