Officials seek ways to curb prescription abuse

The state attorney general's office hosted a symposium on the problem Wednesday in Indianapolis.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. That's more than the number using cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants combined. The Indiana State Department of Health says 654 Hoosiers died from unintentional drug overdoses in 2010.

Two Indiana physicians' licenses have been temporarily suspended this month for allegedly over-prescribing addictive painkillers.

The attorney general's office recently placed 10 billboards across the state which read, "Every 25 minutes someone dies from a prescription drug overdose."

A special task force on the problem will recommend new regulations to legislators.