Methadone now ranks as the fastest-growing source of narcotic deaths in the country, and many experts believe lack of federal oversight and dangerous prescribing practices by physicians are largely to blame, the New York Times reported Aug. 17.

The number of methadone prescriptions increased by 700 percent from 1998 to 2006 -- a period during which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unwittingly labeled package inserts with a dangerously high dosage recommendation of up to 80 mg per day for a starting dose.

The FDA cut the recommended starting dose to 30 mg in late 2006, but some experts believe the FDA should also require physicians to take special classes on prescribing narcotics, a move the agency is considering.

Read More at Join Together Narconon of Georgia "we dont use drugs to get people off of drugs"