The exploding consumption of painkillers has led to a wave of pharmacy robberies and overdose deaths.
The CDC says opioids 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
