20.12.13
MPs call for action to avoid prescription addiction ‘catastrophe’
Action must be taken to tackle a growing national addiction to prescription drugs, MPs have urged.
A new report by the Home Affairs Committee found that the scale of addiction to prescription drugs in Britain is far greater than those who are in treatment programmes for illegal drugs.
More data is needed on the misuse and supply of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, the committee recommends.
The report said: “Immediate steps need to be taken to introduce a system whereby anonymous data can be collated to fully understand where the problem lies.”
The committee's chairman, Keith Vaz, said: “The abuse of these types of substances is taking place in the shadows and its extent is still unquantified. Local GPs need to report their suspicions and collate information to illuminate this problem. If we do not act the catastrophic consequences of tomorrow can be seen in the US today.”
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