America's war on drugs, which has been fought in the opium fields of Afghanistan and the cocaine plantations of Columbia, will have to reinvent itself to combat what is set to be America's biggest drug abuse problem, pharmaceuticals. One in five American's, nearly 48 million, have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes at least once in their lives. The current past month misuse rate among Americans is 6.2 million. According to a recent white paper by Carnevale Associates, this rate of use is already higher than the historical highs of both cocaine and heroin epidemics.
For some, the road to illicit use of prescription medications starts innocently. After a car accident, back injury, or, even, a mental/emotional breakdown a physician prescribes medication for a legitimate use. Over time, tolerance builds up so that more and more of the drug is needed until a state of dependence is reached. At this point, there is no easy way to get off the drug, and stopping can involve painful withdrawal symptoms. Some doctors have been known to become afraid and cut their patients off at this point. Patients have been known to steal prescription pads, or visit numerous doctors to get the drugs they have become addicted to.
However, contrary to popular belief, it is not older adults or any adults who are most likely to abuse pharmaceuticals. In the past decade, abuse of prescription meds among youth has been growing at an alarming first-time use rate of more than fifty percent each year. In 2002, the latest year for which there are statistics, approximately 2.5 million American's misused prescriptions for the first time and 44% of them were under the age of 18.
Unfortunately, as the media fixes its gaze on the methamphetamine problem; and the Office of National Drug Control Policy spends much of its time focusing on Marijuana the opportunity to address the pharmaceutical addiction and abuse is being missed. While certain steps have been taken they have been tentative. The ONDCP has drawn up a strategy for addressing synthetic drugs, but no serious media campaign to educate Americans about the problem has been undertaken. Nor has any pharmaceutical company been brought to heel for manufacturing drugs with high abuse potential even when alternatives may exist.
The next battle in America's war on drugs must draw a bead on pharmaceuticals. The ONDCP must be willing to launch the same type of hard hitting ad campaigns against prescription drug abuse as it has against, marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. The FDA must not be afraid to sanction drug manufacturers who continue to make unsafe drugs where safe alternatives exist. Pharmaceutical manufactures must become better citizens and spend the research and development dollars to make safe and effective drugs, rather than taking the easy way out.
This new phase of the war on drugs, without easily targeted foreigners to blame for America's drug abuse problems, will take unwavering political resolve, corporate citizenship and ingenuity. Even then it is likely to take years before the trend of increases in prescription medicine abuse and addiction can be reversed.
Common Prescription Drugs of Abuse:
Opioids: these are synthetic versions of opium. Intended for pain management opioids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs. OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone) and Demerol (meperidine) are the most popular for abuse. Short-term side effects can include pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness. Overdose can lead to death. Long-term use can lead to dependence or addiction.
Depressants: These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety; panic attacks, and sleep disorders. Nembutal (pentobarbital sodium), Valium (diazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam) are just three of the many drugs in this category. Immediately slow down normal brain functioning and can cause sleepiness Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction.
Stimulants: Doctors may prescribe these to treat the sleeping disorder narcolepsy or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD. Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) are two commonly prescribed stimulants. These drugs enhance brain activity and increase alertness and energy in much the same way as cocaine or methamphetamine. They increase blood pressure; speed up heart rate, and respiration. Very high doses can lead to irregular heartbeat and hyperthermia.
© 2005, David Westbrook
About the Author: Dave Westbrook has worked in the field of crisis intervention and addictions for several years. For more information on prescription med abuse and other addiction related topics visit http://www.addictionsresources.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
This report will give you 22 important tips to make... Read More
Everything can be found on the Internet. At various sites... Read More
Nowadays many people are familiar with the appellation of "low... Read More
Let's face it: purchasing prescription drugs in the U.S. can... Read More
Are you spending a fortune on prescription arthritis medicines? Are... Read More
Are you currently on one or more pharmaceutical drugs? Perhaps... Read More
We live in an age that demands an instant cure... Read More
Internet Pharmacies are convenient and quick, but some websites selling... Read More
How many of us have taken aspirin or a similar... Read More
As much as 95% of the population suffers from some... Read More
Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More
Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health disorder in... Read More
"If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it... Read More
Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or... Read More
For many of us change is a difficult process. In... Read More
I stumbled across TMJ when I needed treat a literal... Read More
The recent withdrawal of the prescription drugs Vioxx and ... Read More
Using ice to treat injuries is one of the oldest... Read More
Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired... Read More
Chinese Medicine, over 2000 years old, is an ancient form... Read More
"If you're one the nine out of ten adults in... Read More
For years, it's been known that regular daily exercise is... Read More
Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More
Are you frustrated with the high prices of prescription drugs?... Read More
What is nail fungus?Nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is... Read More
Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer... Read More
High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors... Read More
There has never been a better opportunity for chiropractic medicine?and... Read More
You might disagree, but hear me out on this...The drug... Read More
If you are a regular user of prescription medications, you... Read More
Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More
ALS is the disease that took the life of the... Read More
Serzone is a prescription medication that is given to patients... Read More
A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More
In 2003, there where more than 890 million doctor visits... Read More
There is a large amount of talk lately in regard... Read More
According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with... Read More
Although you make a patient feel better, there isn't usually... Read More
Satins are pharmacuetical drugs that work by restricting the enzyme... Read More
Chemical dependency recovery provides with positive changes in reactions and... Read More
Just about all health care providers have need of stethoscopes.... Read More
There is a huge concern in the medical industry that... Read More
When compared with the other prescription diet pills, Phentermine is... Read More
Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More
Any teenager will tell you that acne can drive you... Read More
Propulsid was a popular nighttime heartburn drug before it was... Read More
Have you ever taken the drug Vioxx or celebrex? In... Read More
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This... Read More
No person likes to feel housebound and dependent on others.... Read More
In the early nineties, Redux was the original miracle diet... Read More
One of the least appreciated cost-savers in medical treatment is... Read More
Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired... Read More
Now, imagine what it would be like if you were... Read More
Most people are well aware that an estimated 45 million... Read More
Thirty percent of human population has a high blood pressure... Read More
For the head of the trauma department at one of... Read More
Alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States offer a wide... Read More
1. Support the affected arm during activities of daily living.... Read More
In continuation of mood enhancement drugs for kids and adolescents,... Read More
There's a whole group of drugs out there called benzodiazepines.They... Read More
Americans are on the go. According to a NSGA Survey,... Read More
A hypnotic "trance" is not something that is foreign to... Read More
Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 2 of 82. Vitamin... Read More
The drug Lorazepan is marketed under the names Alzapam, Ativan,... Read More
A recent report has found that Americans are more frightened... Read More
Orthotics are devices which fit into the shoe to aid... Read More
Medicine |