Doctor shopping is a way for many who are addicted to prescription medication to obtain their drugs.  The act of doctor shopping is seeing a number of different doctors to get prescriptions for drugs.  Over recent years there have been a number of  celebrities who have overdosed and died from prescription drug abuse.  Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, Health Leger and most recently Corey Haim to name a few.  In an attempt to stop doctor shopping thirty four states throughout the country have programs to monitor the prescriptions that a person obtains.

Doctors should not be blamed for an individuals struggles with drug addiction.  However there are doctors who are guilty of being starstruck and not telling celebrities “no” when it comes to giving out prescriptions.  How could Michael Jackson’s personal doctor not have known his client suffered from addiction? Corey Haim had struggled with drug addiction for years and a pharmacist doesn’t recognize him when he comes to get his prescription filled? This raises the question that if it is this easy for celebrities to get drugs from pharmacies how easy is it for an individual who isn’t easily recognized.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in this country.  Of course these drugs can be obtained on the streets, over the internet or even stolen from warehouses.  However when someone like Corey Haim is able to obtain prescription drugs from seven different doctors it makes me think that a more secure “checks and balance” system needs to be put into action.  Prescription drugs are just as dangerous and addictive as illegal street drugs and more action needs to be taken to control people abusing them.  I feel that the fight against prescription substance abuse should start with the doctors who prescribe them and the pharmacist who fill the prescription.