Medications can only be obtained with the written approval of an MD. Due to their potency and legality; prescription drugs have greatly overtaken illicit drugs and are used far more. Prescription drug abuseThe use of a drug in a quantity that is harmful to the user mentally or physically. Death and serious harm are usually caused by regular abuse rather than the casual use of drugs., particularly of opiates used for pain management, is one of the central causes of the opiateNatural mind-altering compounds that are primarily prescribed for pain management. It either contains opium or has similar effects. crisis in the United States.