more than 1,200 fatal prescription drug overdoses in just the past three years. 25-year-old chris scarborough died in his sleep in the home he shared with his parents outside the city. >> he was nothing to these doctors but money. nothing. >> reporter: for years, chris battled addiction to prescription drugs. he had been in rehab three times. shortly before he died, he went to a pain clinic where he was prescribed a trio of drugs known on the treatments as the houston cocktail, which can produce a heroin-like high. >> our son was given 120 hydrocodone or vicodin mixed with 120 soma muscle relaxers and 120 xanax. >> people are dying from what they're doing and they have no conscience about it at all. >> reporter: john kowall is one of a squad of houston officers now devoted full-time to bringing down pill mills. and there's a big emphasis on moving product? >> correct. the more patients the more money you can make in a day. >> reporter: to see how easy it is -- >> and what are you being seen for today? >> my leg. >> reporter: abc news launched a hidden camera investigation of houston pain clin

the same ones that killed chris scarborou scarborough. how do i look? our first head flag.100 as soon as you walk in. this is an all-cash business. i filled out a medical history form saying i had neck, back and knee pain. the receptionist, all-too eager to coach me in what to say to the doctor to get drugs. >> you got to make your story look good. in order for him to give you xanax. >> reporter: i never see the doctor in the dilapidated office. a physician's assistant checks me out. within minutes. >> all right, christopher. we can give you some lorcets. a few of them, to get by. >> reporter: lorcet is actually hydro coe done, that can get you high. that's why it has a street value of $5 a pill. we went to various clinic, all complaining of lower back pain. and all walking out for prescriptions for hundreds of pills. including soma. at one clinic, the mood's so relaxed, the nurse chats about nightclubs. >> what club are you running, man? >> club 52. man, i should have brought you a postcard. >> reporter: during the supposed evaluation, the nurse checks his e-mail and answe