New Mexico Eyes Plans to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

New Mexico’s pharmacy and medical boards are considering proposals that call for greater scrutiny from doctors and pharmacists in giving prescriptions for opioid painkillers.

The Santa Fe New Mexico reports that the state Board of Pharmacy will consider various proposals, including one to increase the number of prescribers who use the state’s prescription-drug monitoring program.

The move comes as New Mexico’s overall drug-overdose death rate is the highest in the country. New statistics from the state Department of Health show a dramatic rise in the sale of opioid drugs, up 131 percent from 2001 to 2010.

The plans also aim to better educate everyone involved about the dangers of overprescribing or becoming addicted to pills such as hydrocodone and OxyContin.