LEEDS MP RAISES CONCERN OVER LEGAL DRUG ADDICTION

1.43.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th Jun 2009

Greg Mulholland MP for Leeds North West spoke yesterday in a parliamentary debate on addiction to prescription medicine.

There is a growing problem across the country with many people becoming addicted to the benzodiazepine family of tranquilisers in particular. Mr Mulholland questioned the Minister Phil Hope on the issue asking when the government intends to bring in much needed reforms to the pharmaceutical industry.

Commenting, Greg said;

"The government in the past has focused on the important task of tackling the problem that illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin represent to our society.

The unfortunate side effect of this is that the growing problem of addiction to prescription medicines has gone comparatively unreported in the press and unnoticed by the general public.

It is vitally important that the government makes efforts to better regulate internet pharmacies and provide better training for pharmacists in how to deal with people they suspect of abusing prescription medicine."