Poisoning by prescription drugs on the rise

Poisoning by prescription drugs on the rise
New study indicates US hospitalizations for poisoning by opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers increased 65 percent from 1999-2006
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-04/ehs-pbp040110.php  
 
"San Diego, CA, April 6, 2010 – Poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. While several recent high-profile Hollywood celebrity cases have brought the problem to public attention, the rates of unintentional poisoning deaths have been on the rise for more than 15 years, and in fact, unintentional poisoning has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death among people 35-54 years of age. In a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that hospitalizations for poisoning by prescription opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers in the U.S. have increased by 65% from 1999 to 2006."