Ice, heroin, cocaine, cannabis – these are what most of us think of when we think about drug abuse.

But high-profile incidents in recent times have put a spotlight on drug abuse of a different kind– the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Drugs all the same, but because they can be acquired legally they’ve never been seen in the same harsh light.

But statistics and personal stories tell us they can be just as addictive and just as destructive.

Now, the nation’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, is recommending that painkillers containing codeine should be prescription only to combat rising addiction rates and other serious health risks associated with it.

The plan’s been praised and panned – in equal measure – but at least it’s out there for debate.

Those in favour say it’s a sensible solution to the crisis, while those against say it will just create more problems.

If people have to get a prescription for the likes of Nurofen Plus or Panadeine Extra, then what will that do to GP waiting rooms and patient hip pockets?

The body representing the nation’s pharmacists has even proposed a high-tech alternative, whereby customers’ drug purchase histories will be available online, highlighting potential codeine misuse.

The only certainty at the moment in the whole debate is the fact everything must be on the table when it comes to combatting drug addiction.

What’s obvious is there is no one solution and the answer to bringing down addiction rates – for all types of drugs – lies in a multi-faceted approach.

Education must be somewhere in the mix, and while the evils of illegal drugs are well known within the community, the fact prescription drugs can be just as addictive – and just as dangerous if used incorrectly – is probably not as clear.

Accidental addiction to these kinds of painkillers is on the rise, it seems, and accidental overdose is a problem because of the misconception that they’re relatively harmless. 

More people are telling their stories about the dangers of these drugs – and that’s good – but perhaps the time has come for a more targeted community campaign to bring this issue out of the shadows.