PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — New federal statistics show that Maine leads the nation in the percentage of residents being treated for addiction to painkillers.
Maine law enforcement officials and addiction specialists aren’t surprised. They say a growing epidemic of abuse of OxyContin and other pain medications is driving crime and filling a growing number of treatment centers.
Addiction specialist Dr. Mark Publicker of Westbrook says abuse of prescription painkillers is growing among both adults and children. He says 10 percent to 15 percent of high school students have used narcotic painkillers in the last month.
The Portland Press Herald says that in 2008, 386 of every 100,000 Maine residents age 12 or older were admitted for treatment of painkiller addiction. The national rate is 45 per 100,000 people.
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