The government via the auspices of Medicare is partially responsible for this growing problem. The have labeled PAIN another vital sign, and the ER docs are 'dinged' if they do not get good survey results. Thus the ERs are getting everyone started on the Percocet and quickly hand them over to use for continued management. By then, the addiction is often set in.
On a personal note, my brother told me he was given a couple Percocet for a legitimate injury, and 5 months later he was still feeling a powerful craving for it!
