Problems with the abuse of prescription drugs has been on the rise for several years. In a May 2010 study US hospital admissions due to poisoning by prescription drugs (opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers) reportedly rose from 43,000 to 71,000 between 1999 and 2006. That is a 65% increase; about double the increase observed for poisoning by other drugs and medicines. The largest increase in hospitalizations for poisonings was for methadone (400%). The abuse and trafficking of prescription drugs appears to be ready to surpass illicit drug abuse worldwide.