Cherokee Nation reports an increase in prescription drug abuse

Wednesday, January 4, 2012  

Prescription drug abuse is rising within the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

Dr. B.J. Boyd, the Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health Services director, said prescription drugs are the second-most commonly abused substance. That wasn't the case when he started his job in 2003.

"Prescription drugs have become more readily available than they used to be,” Boyd told The Cherokee Phoenix. “People will get a legitimate prescription and then it may sit on the shelf and someone may steal it and use it recreationally. Eventually it will get to the point where they become dependent on them.”

Boyd said alcohol remains the number one most abused substance.

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Prescription drug abuse increasing within CN (The Cherokee Phoenix 1/4)