| 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.
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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.
About
the Author
© 2005, David Westbrook
Dave
Westbrook has worked in the field of crisis intervention
and addictions for several years. He frequently contributes
articles to AddictionsResources and other websites. For
more information on prescription med abuse and other addiction
related topics visit www.addictionsresources.com
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