Georgia lawmakers push for prescription drug tracking system

Many lawmakers across the nation are beginning to propose legislation that will prevent the rampant use of prescription medication. In the last decade, prescription drug abuse has increased, namely from the use of painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin.

However, a new bill in Georgia is geared toward helping doctors and pharmacists prevent the abuse of illegally obtained drugs, the Bryan County News reports. Furthermore, it will also aid law enforcement by improving their technological capabilities.

The bill will allow the state to create an electronic database of all the controlled substances that are dispensed throughout the state. The system will only be accessible to doctors, pharmacists or law enforcement officials who are investigating a case.

“With every state surrounding Georgia having a system to crack down on prescription drug abuse, many of these fly-by-night store front as pain clinics, and drug abusers are taking refuge in our state because we have no method to track this illegal activity," Buddy Carter, state senator, told the news source.

Unfortunately, many times these prescriptions are obtained by children. Medication, such as painkillers are often found in medicine cabinets accessible to teens. Programs for troubled teens can help show adolescents the reason why abusing painkillers are harmful to themselves and their families.

According to a 2009 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 percent of U.S. high school students reported abusing prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, Adderall, Ritalin or Xanax at some point during their lifetime.