Army To Restrict Amount of Prescription Painkillers For Soldiers

The United States Army and the soldiers who proudly serve in that branch of the military are now seeing a limit to the amount of painkillers that can be obtained on a prescription basis. It's a step that the Army hopes will curb the abuse of potentially addictive drugs.

Many soldiers return home with chronic pains and or injuries from either combat or training and require the need for painkillers. The use of pain killers and prescription drugs has seen a dramatic spike in the last decade. It's a continuing trend that the Army hopes to reduce.

Since fiscal year 1998 through 2009 the number of soldiers referred for opiate abuse treatment has rose from 87 to a staggering 703 (Associated Press).

New rules in place by the United States Army limit soldiers to 30 day prescriptions. Previously, soldiers also could obtain 60 and 90 day prescriptions.

As for any branch of the United States Military, disciplinary actions may occur if rules are broken. In regards to the United States Army, soldiers may be disciplined if they are found using such drugs six months after a prescription.