Most of the major print outlets picked up on last week’s joint announcement by Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and Michele M. Leonhart, Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2010/dallas071610.html

>>>The study, Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Involving Abuse of Pain Relievers 1998-2008, conducted by the SAMHSA, and based on the agency's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reveals a 400 percent increase between 1998 and 2008 of substance abuse treatment admissions for those aged 12 and over reporting abuse of prescription pain relievers. The increase in the percentage of admissions abusing pain relievers spans every age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, employment level, and region. The study also shows a more than tripling of pain reliever abuse among patients who needed treatment for opioid dependence.

"The data released today is alarming and shows the tremendous damage being caused by prescription drug abuse all across this country each and every day," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. "The effective enforcement of laws regulating the distribution of controlled substances, coupled with their lawful disposal are essential parts of a comprehensive strategy to reduce drug abuse. DEA is committed to being part of the solution, however it will take all of us working together to prevent the tragedies that inevitably come with drug abuse.”>>>>>

The radio show revealed the disingenuous response by the DEA. As of June 1 prescriptions for all the narcotics and drugs creating the increasing fiasco within this country can be generated electronically. Prior to last month, doctors needed to make an effort to generate a controlled prescription by either writing out the prescription or at least picking up the phone and call it in to a pharmacy. In the case of CII prescriptions, only written “hard copy” prescriptions were accepted.

The new ruling will allow the easy access to generate more narcotics and amphetamines onto our streets. Where is the outcry on challenging the DEA’s new ruling and allowing the acting Administrator to present a concerned view when knowing the reality that the DEA in Washington remains complicit in the dependency, death and destruction that is continuing.