United States health authorities say lethal overdoses from prescription painkillers have tripled in the past decade and now account for more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says USA is in the midst of an epidemic of prescription drug overdose.
"It is an epidemic but it can be stopped," said CDC chief Thomas Frieden.
"In fact, now the burden of dangerous drugs is being created more by a few irresponsible doctors than by drug pushers on street corners," he said.
Last year, 12 million Americans reported taking prescription painkillers for recreational uses, not because of a medical condition.
The number of deaths from overdoses of opioid pain relievers has soared from 4000 people in 1999 to 14,800 people in 2008.
