Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in the U.S. Our society is growing dependant on many Rx medications. According to a recent survey on Drug Use and Health. An estimated 4.7 million Americans use prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. 2.5 million use pain relievers, 1.2 million use tranquilizers, 761,000 use stimulants and 225,000 use sedatives.

The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), monitors medications and illicit drugs used in sending people to the emergency rooms. DAWN reported that the two most frequently reported Rx in drug abuse related cases are benzodiazepines and opioid pain killers.

In 2002, benzodiazepines accounted for 100,784 drug abuse cases. Opioid pain relievers accounted for 119,00 cases. This is only what was documented. Hydrocodone and Oxycodon increased rapidly by 170-450%. These are dramatic increases in prescription drug abuse cases. It is certainly on the rise a continuing to climb. Benzodiazepines and Opioids are the new trend in the drug culture today.