MASON CITY, IA--
Prescription drugs like these are at the root of a growing problem in North Iowa. “In our opinion this is probably the number one problem and it's growing at actually epic proportions,” said Chief Deputy David Hepperly, of the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.Abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is being called "the newest and fastest growing form of substance abuse by Iowans." That’s according to the 2011 Iowa’s Drug Control Strategy report.
“Many people that have prescription medicines seem to be selling them illegally to other people on the street,” said Hepperly.
Chief Deputy Hepperly says they've seen a remarkable increase in cases involving the illegal purchase of prescription medicines in recent years. He says they've seen quite a bit of higher dose drugs on the street--which he calls alarming. “Higher doses if they would ingest or inject that type of medicine that it could kill them,” he said.
He says it's a common misconception that prescription drugs aren't as dangerous as other types.
“Just because a medicine is prescription only and you get it from your doctor it's assumed that it's safe when it's not,” said Megan Johannesen, pharmD.
Some of the most abused include narcotic painkillers.
“They're very addictive, they can cause psychologic dependence,” said Johannesen, of the drugs when not used properly.
The report specifically shows painkillers also appear to be "the favorite targets of thieves who steal from medicine cabinets and pharmacies."
“A lot of the pain killers that are being sold, especially if they were taken in multiple doses could be fatal,” said Hepperly.
