Prescription abuse: doctors to blame?

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Prescription drug abuse is skyrocketing here in western New York and across the country. Two heartbroken local parents know these facts firsthand, and they believe doctors are partly to blame.

Suzanne Crotty said, "His life ended way too early."

The grief of Suzanne and Mark Crotty is as fresh today as it was on October 26, 2009, the day their 19-year-old son Zachary died from a fatal mix of prescription and illegal drugs.

"He had such potential, but the drugs took over his life," said Suzanne.

Their son's death shined the spotlight on the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in our own community.

Mark said, "They can kill. Taken the wrong way, taken too many times. It's dangerous."

Since Zach's death, communities have responded by sponsoring prescription drug drop-off sites, where unused drugs can be properly disposed of. We've also seen law enforcement dismantle several large prescription drug rings . Progress?

"I do feel we are making progress, quite a bit really," said Mark.

However, Suzanne added, "The problem begins from doctor's prescribing prescription drugs."

UB Addiction Specialist Dr. Richard Blondell told News 4 that in the past decade, physicians have been encouraged to pay close attention to "patient pain." As a result, they are writing more and more prescriptions.

Dr. Blondell explained, "Doctors are over-prescribing. Nothing [is being done to stop them]."

The over-prescribing makes it easy for people to get their hands on pills to get high or to make a buck. They can raid a medicine cabinet, or doctor shop. We recently sent one of our news assistants undercover to inquire only about "suboxone," a drug used to ease the withdrawal effects suffered by addicts.

She emerged from one clinic in less than five minutes, shocked that the staff not only assumed she was an addict, but told her what she needed to get a prescription. Just $300 in cash.

News assistant Stephanie said, "You would think doctors would only prescribe for people who need it, but there was never any question about what drugs I'm addicted to."

Our assistant walked out before meeting with a doctor, but felt certain it wouldn't take much convincing to get a prescription. No doubt addicts are good at misrepresenting themselves, but Dr. Blondell says not all doctors are duped.

"Some are dishonest. The bottom line message is, as physicians, we need to be more thoughtful in how we prescribe medicines," contended Dr. Blondell.

Suzanne stated, "He should never have been prescribed all the drugs he was prescribed."

Zach's parents hold some of his doctors accountable. They strongly believe the time has come to look more closely at the people behind the prescription pad.

No physicians were charged in the recent drug busts in western New York, but the investigations continue. Obviously, doctors alone can't be blamed. Many of them have less time with each patient, and patients aren't as easy to track as they used to be.

But clearly, it sheds light on a problem. There is a strong push in New York State to create a database for tracking prescription drug abuse, but it's not operational right now. Basically, it would allow doctors to log on to see what drugs patients may be taking. It would also be a very helpful tool for law enforcers.