Prescription narcotics - anything but child's play.

Ontario is taking action to curb the growing abuse of prescription narcotics and controlled substances, including those containing oxycodone.

Across North America, addictions, crime and deaths related to prescription drug abuse have increased significantly in recent years. Since 1991, prescriptions for oxycodone-containing products rose by 900 per cent. The number of oxycodone-related deaths in Ontario has nearly doubled since 2004.

To combat this growing problem, the province intends to introduce legislation this fall that would, if passed, help address the abuse of prescription narcotics, while ensuring access to pain medication for those who need it most.

As part of a new Narcotics Strategy, the province would track prescriptions through a new database that would flag unusual patterns of prescribing and dispensing. In instances of inappropriate activity, responses could include educational support and resources, reporting to the appropriate regulatory college and in extreme circumstances, law enforcement. In addition, the strategy would include more education to patients about the appropriate use of prescription narcotics.

The new Narcotics Strategy would put Ontario in line with six other provinces and 33 U.S. states that have prescription drug monitoring programs in place.