Army Imposes Rx Drug Limits

In response to the rise in the use of prescription drugs, the military is cracking down on access, according to The Associated Press. The Army recently limited how many painkillers a soldier can get at one time, with disciplinary action facing troops who violate the restriction.

It’s a first step in trying to curb the growing problem of painkiller abuse among those serving in all branches of the military. The AP cites Army data to make the case that the number of soldiers referred for opiate-abuse treatment has been growing steadily for at least a decade, a time when increasing numbers of troops have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat or training injuries that can cause chronic pain. In addition, The Veterans Administration said more than half of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report pain issues as they leave active duty military service.

In response, the Army put limits on painkillers in November 2010 by restricting most Schedule II controlled substances. This included narcotics, opiates and amphetamines, which have all been limited to just 30-day prescriptions instead of the more convenient 90-day versions. The policy does make exceptions when it comes to medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Noteworthy is that fact that the new policy doesn’t just impact soldiers, it includes anyone who fills a prescription at an Army hospital or pharmacy, including military spouses, children and retirees.

But does limiting access fix the problem? Not on its own. In June the Army went even further by implementing a policy that would discipline soldiers found using the restricted drugs six months after they were prescribed. To monitor drug abuse, the Army carries out random drug tests among active duty soldiers.

Soldiers testing positive on a drug test are referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program, but they can also be referred based on a commander's recommendation. Commonly abused opiates include popular pain drugs like oxycodone (sold under the brand name OxyContin) and hydrocodone (brand name: Vicodin).

What is happening among soldiers mirrors the rise in prescription abuse among the general population.

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