State OK’s tool to detect prescription drug abuse

State health regulators yesterday unanimously approved the new detection system designed to stop “doctor shopping’’ by addicted patients who try to dupe doctors into prescribing narcotics. The practice, specialists said, has fueled a surge in drug-related deaths in Massachusetts, where abuse of painkillers poses a health threat that rivals heroin and other street drugs.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/12/mass_oks__tool_to_detect_prescription_drug_abuse/