AP: Pain medicine use has nearly doubled
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/health/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070820/ap_on_he_me/world_of_pain"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070820/capt.3b7e28bfaf244aaa84507c9afb9c325e.world_of_pain_wxsc109.jpg?x=130&y=89&sig=SAxpUPWly_WxTzWsQce23A--" align="left" height="89" width="130" alt="Dr. John Charles, Director of Medical Affairs at the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C. speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nov. 20, 2006. A few years ago, Charles said, he took a drastic step to reduce his potential legal risks: He stopped prescribing painkillers. The decision gave him peace of mind, but he doesn't expect there to be less need for painkillers or physicians who prescribe them. 'People with cancer are surviving longer, elderly people are living longer,' Charles said. 'So, physicians are walking a fairly fine line. We're walking a narrow path. And I think we'll continue to see it for a while.' (AP Photo/Willis Glassgow)" border="0" /></a>AP - People in the United States are living in a world of pain and they are popping pills at an alarming rate to cope with it.</p><br clear="all"/>

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