The Role of Physicians in Addressing Prescription Med Abuse

According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, more than 100 million people in this country suffer from chronic pain, and for some opioid therapy may be the only option for relief.  Physicians often walk a thin line in the desire to confront the public health emergency while upholding our oath to reduce the suffering of our patients. Robert E. Schaaf, M.D., president of the N.C. Medical Society, says “We, as physicians and physician assistants, have a responsibility to stop the abuse of opioids, as it saps the human and economic resources of our state and country.”  This responsibility includes the…