Wrap: Missouri's rate of treatment for powerful painkiller abuse has more than doubled in the past ten years. 

Missouri Hospital Association spokesperson Dave Dillon says this rate is the highest in the country. 

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Description: Um well we found, over the course of a decade, which was 2005 to present, was that the rate of prescription drug abuse had skyrocketed in Missouri. During that period it has increased 137 percent state wide.

The Missouri Hospital Association plans to work with the prescription providers to find solutions to the state's painkiller abuse problem.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Wrap: Hospital treatment for the abuse of powerful painkillers has increased by 137 percent in Missouri during the last decade.

Missouri Hospital Association spokesperson Dave Dillon says Missouri leads the country in the treatment of painkiller abuse. 

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Description: We do know that the medical problems related to prescription drug abuse are staggeringly high and continue, basically, to grow in Missouri at a rate that is much higher than the Midwest, which is the highest rate in the country.

Dillon says now that the problem has been identified, the association will work with prescription providers to find a solution.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.

Wrap: Missouri's annual growth rate for powerful painkiller abuse treatment is the highest in the country according to a study conducted by the Missouri Hospital Association.

Spokesperson Dave Dillon says the association now plans to address this abuse problem.

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Description: Well we're certainly going to work with the provider community now that the problem has been identified to try to work through solutions that can be done on our end, meaning in the people who provide health care services.

The treatment of prescription painkiller abuse has increased by 137 percent in Missouri over the last decade. Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Shannon Shaver.