Prescription Drug Overdoses Increase

According to a newly released report in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the number of Americans ending up in the hospital due to overdoses from prescribed painkillers, sedatives and tranquilizers is rising steeply. In just 8 years, 1999 to 2006, hospital admissions from prescription drug overdoses increased an alarming 65 percent from 43,000 to 71,000. Another stunning statistic - Unintentional prescription drug overdoses surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death in 2005 for those 35 to 54 years of age. There are many more jaw dropping statistics listed in the report that highlight the dangers of many prescription drugs, especially those prescribed for the purpose of reducing pain.