Pharmaceuticals
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Pharmaceuticals: The Next Frontier in America's War on
Drugs
by: David Westbrook
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
www.addictionsresources.com.
recoveryresources@gmail.com