Prescription Drugs Receive Top $ on the Streets

Today on CNNMoney.com there was an article about street sales of prescription drugs. Purchasing painkillers or anti-anxiety medications in a pharmacy could maybe cost you $20. There are patients who need these medications to have a decent quality of life. On the streets, these same medications can go for $100. This is appalling. Prescription drug abuse is driving this black market business into a billion dollar industry. According to the DEA, seven million people were abusing prescription medications in 2009. These seven million people are getting their drugs from somewhere. Education and awareness of prescription drug abuse can curb this problem. We have a war on drugs-prescription drugs are included. One can obtain prescription medications legally from a doctor's prescription and a pharmacy. But the supply does not stop there-abusers are forging prescriptions or they may steal from friends or family members. Those abusers who have exhausted other means are going to the black market. Black market dealers are stealing from legitimate shipments, getting supplies from pharmacies, or the biggest shocker-patients are selling their medications for cash. This black market business is scary as a pharmacist. Pharmacies are actually robbed in order for dealers to get supplies. We have got to focus just as much attention on stopping prescription drug abuse as stopping other illegal drug trafficking in the US.