That's enough drugs to give every single American 64 Percocets or Vicodin. And pain pill prescriptions continue to surge, up 600 percent in ten year, thanks to doctors who are more and more willing to hand out drugs to patients who are suffering.That's pretty frightening.
Nationwide, police are reporting increases in robberies and other crimes by people who are addicted to oxycodone and hydrocodone, the key ingredient in most prescription pain pills.
One of the people lured into crime by drug dependency was Rich Elassar, 36, who once owned a successful business in New Jersey.
But an addition to painkillers led to him taking 90 Percosets a day, he told BBC. When the money ran out he was desperate for more drugs.
One day, he walked into a bank and handed the teller a note demanding cash. He was caught and arrested shortly after the robbery.Sounds like a Nurse Jackie episode. I am blown away by the thought of someone taking 90 Percocet's a day. Years ago I took one to cope with pain following surgery and it knocked me for a loop.