Action on the VA’s pain pill habit

On the debut pilot of “Reveal,” CIR’s Aaron Glantz uncovered how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been prescribing highly addictive pain medications at an alarming rate – even to patients who are known addicts.

Data obtained by CIR show how opiate prescriptions by the VA have skyrocketed between 2001 and 2012 – a 270 percent increase. You can see exactly how many opiates the VA is prescribing veterans in your area in CIR’s interactive map.

Since that report aired, we’ve already seen results. Glantz returns to “Reveal” to discuss congressional hearings held in the wake of CIR’s investigation and how lawmakers might address the spike in opiate prescriptions. Listen below.

Are you a veteran with experience with prescription medication from the VA? We want to hear your story. Take a few minutes to share your experience with our reporters here.

Featured image: Heather McDonald speaks about her husband’s death at a House subcommittee hearing. Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Scott Alan McDonald died of an overdose of Percocet on Sept. 13, 2012. Credit: Amanda Voisard for CIR