Pubdate: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2014 Globe Newspaper Company Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://bostonglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: J. Hallisey WHAT WE HAVE IS AN EPIDEMIC OF OVERPRESCRIBING We have a major problem with prescription drug abuse in this state. WHO is writing these prescriptions in the first place? This is where the problem starts. I have been a nurse practitioner for 30 years in some of the so-called best hospitals in Boston. Not one day goes by where I do not see someone write an inappropriate prescription for narcotics. Whether it be naivete, lack of education and awareness, or just plain laziness, this needs to stop. Until we fully educate the PRESCRIBERS on the dangers of these medications, this problem will continue. J. Hallisey Jamaica Plain - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom