Two million people misusing prescription drugs to get high, survey reveals
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Two million people misusing prescription drugs to get high, survey reveals
Almost two million people across England and Wales are abusing prescription painkillers either to get high or relax, according to a survey.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found more than 500,000 under-25s misused painkillers in the past year.
The painkillers being misused include codeine, morphine, tramadol and oxycodone, said the ONS crime survey of England and Wales.
This is the first time the annual study has asked about prescription-only painkillers and the question was included at the request of the Home Office.
Alistair Bohm, from Addaction, a charity for addiction, said there was growing evidence that painkiller misuse in the UK was a serious issue.
He said: “Most prescriptions are fully warranted, but should only ever be taken as instructed, as stronger opioids such as codeine or dihydrocodeine can be misused and lead to dependence.
“For many people though, painkillers are just one part of a...
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