Painkiller use on rise in N.M.

Alamogordo Daily News - Sales of highly controlled prescription painkillers -- oxycodone, morphine and methadone -- increased 111.5 percent between 2001 and 2010. The overdose rate for the same prescription drugs also increased statewide by 61.8 percent. A recent report released by the New Mexico Department of Health indicates oxycodone sales led with more than 1,074 pounds sold in 2010 while hydrocodone was second with 441 pounds, followed by morphine with 396 pounds sold. Since 2007, the overdose death rate from prescription drugs like oxycodone, morphine and methadone has exceeded the death rate from illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Otero and Lincoln counties were fourth in the state's 13-digit zip codes in 2010. The prescription sales rate was 23.7 grams per 100 people in 2010, which is the same for the statewide increase for the same period. Otero County had eight overdose deaths in 2008, 15 in 2009 and nine in 2010 for a total of 32 deaths for the three-year period -- the latest data available. Otero County was 14th statewide in overdoses while Lincoln County was 21st. Read More News New Mexico

Painkiller use on rise in N.M.