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TEEN SOUL POWER
Prescription Drugs:
Death by Pharma
Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing
drug problem, and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse
as an EPIDEMIC.
Poisoning is now the leading cause of death
from injuries in the United States and nearly
9 out of 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs.
Because a person dies every 19 minutes
from Prescription Drug Overdose!
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Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited.
According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The nonmedical use and abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem in this country. Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated 52 million people (20 percent of those aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at least once in their lifetimes. Young people are strongly represented in this group. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey found that about 1 in 12 high school seniors reported past-year nonmedical use of the prescription pain reliever Vicodin in 2010, and 1 in 20 reported abusing OxyContin—making these medications among the most commonly abused drugs by adolescents. The abuse of certain prescription drugs— opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants—can lead to a variety of adverse health effects, including addiction. Among those who reported past-year nonmedical use of a prescription drug, nearly 14 percent met criteria for abuse of or dependence on it. Abuse of prescription drugs is highest among young adults aged 18 to 25, with 5.9 percent reporting nonmedical use in the past month (NSDUH, 2010). Among youth aged 12 to 17, 3.0 percent reported past-month nonmedical use of prescription medications. When asked how prescription opioids were obtained for nonmedical use, more than half of the 12th graders surveyed said they were given the drugs or bought them from a friend or relative. Interestingly, the number of students who purchased opioids over the Internet was negligible. Youth who abuse prescription medications are also more likely to report use of other drugs. Multiple studies have revealed associations between prescription drug abuse and higher rates of cigarette smoking; heavy episodic drinking; and marijuana, cocaine, and other illicit drug use among adolescents, young adults, and college students in the United States. |
One in five teens has taken prescription drugs
without a doctor’s prescription at least once in their life.
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According to national surveys, prescription medications such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening and are reflected in increased emergency room visits, overdose deaths, and admissions into treatment programs for addiction. Prescription drugs should only be taken exactly as directed by a medical professional. The health risks associated with prescription drug abuse vary depending on the drug but can be very serious and include slowing or stopping breathing; seizure, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate; high body temperature, irregular heart rate, cardiovascular system failure and seizure; and physical addiction. The simplest and most reliable way to distinguish normal use of medications from their abuse is to consider whether they are being used for a legitimate medical purpose, and is in accordance with the directions of a competent and ethical treating physician |
What is prescription drug abuse?
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Using a prescription medicine that is not prescribed to you, or taking medicine that is prescribed to you in a different way than you were directed -- for any reason (non-medical use, or use to get high.)
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Which medicines are being abused?
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Pain Medicines: Opioid and Morphine derivatives like Oxycodone, Vicodin, Tylox, Percodan, Percocet, Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet, Dilaudid, Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone, Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride, Darvon, Darvocet, etc.
Anxiety and Sleep Disorder Medicines: Central nervous system depressants, sedatives and tranquilizers like Valium Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital, Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc. Attention Deficit Disorder Medicines: Stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Concerta, etc. |
What is prescription drug abuse causing?
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-- More people are being treated in Emergency Rooms.
-- More people are becoming addicted to prescription drugs. -- More people are being admitted into drug treatment programs. -- More people are dying from drug overdoses (drug poisoning). |
The red line represents the count of prescription drug
events showing up in Emergency Departments, versus
alcohol and illegal drugs in various combinations.
events showing up in Emergency Departments, versus
alcohol and illegal drugs in various combinations.
