The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday a $20 million program to work with 16 states in an effort to curtail the growing epidemic of opioid overdoses. Overdoses have not only quadrupled since 1999, but according to the CDC, more than 16,000 people died of opioid overdoses in 2013 alone. The $20 million is expected to be focused on enhancing "prescription drug monitoring programs", expanding education and prevention efforts in communities, while working with doctors and health systems to help them make better decisions for patients. Whats there to better understand? The link between prescription opioid drug addiction and rising heroin abuse is simple, the medication is only 1 step removed from the latter! Its like giving a kid a scoop of ice cream and then standing back in bewilderment when they upgrade to a tub of cookie dough swirl! http://www.robertscottbell.com/?p=31952