UN agency warns of prescription drug abuse

Updated: 09:28, Thursday, 1 March 2007

The International Narcotics Control Board has warned that the abuse of prescription drugs is about to exceed the use of illicit street narcotics worldwide.

1 of 1Prescription drugs - INCB warning
Prescription drugs - INCB warning

The UN agency said the shift has set off a lethal new trade in counterfeit painkillers, sedatives and other medicines potent enough to kill.

The Vienna-based drugs watchdog said prescription drug abuse has already outstripped traditional illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy in parts of Europe, Africa and South Asia.

The INCB said governments had to enforce existing laws and bring in new ones on illegal Internet drug sales.

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