Prescription painkillers, problem throughout country
April 9, 2012 (CHICAGO) That's the scale of popular prescription painkillers all over the country. The exploding consumption of painkillers has led to a wave of pharmacy robberies and overdose deaths.
The CDC says opioid pain relievers such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone caused nearly 15,000 overdose deaths in 2008 alone. Experts say addiction is also driving sales.
More people are now 'doctor-shopping' to get hold of a steady supply of painkillers to satisfy their physical dependency.
