Advocate launches petition urging government action on prescription drug addiction

With firsthand experience of the devastating impact of prescription opioids—both in her own family and through her professional work - Marcus is launching a national petition demanding:

"Prescription drug addiction is the silent epidemic no one is talking about," says Marcus. "I watched my own mother suffer withdrawal in my Nan’s spare bedroom, going through the same agony as a heroin addict—but without the recognition or support that illegal drug users receive. This crisis is destroying lives, and we can’t afford to ignore it any longer."

The UK has seen a sharp rise in prescription opioid dependency, with thousands unknowingly becoming addicted to legally prescribed painkillers. Despite mounting evidence, government action remains slow, leaving countless individuals and families trapped in a cycle of dependency.

Marcus, who has conducted research on prescription drug trends in primary care across the Black Country warns that without intervention, more lives will be lost to preventable addiction.

"This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a national emergency," she states. "We need urgent reforms to prescribing guidelines, increased patient awareness, and better treatment pathways for those suffering in silence."

Marcus is urging policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to support her campaign. 

Here’s how you can take action: