| America's war on drugs, which has been fought | | | | |
| in the opium fields of Afghanistan and the | | | | The next battle in America's war on drugs |
| cocaine plantations of Columbia, will have to | | | | must draw a bead on pharmaceuticals. The |
| reinvent itself to combat what is set to be | | | | ONDCP must be willing to launch the same type |
| America's biggest drug abuse problem, | | | | of hard hitting ad campaigns against |
| pharmaceuticals. One in five American's, | | | | prescription drug abuse as it has against, |
| nearly 48 million, have used prescription | | | | marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. The FDA must |
| drugs for non-medical purposes at least once | | | | not be afraid to sanction drug manufacturers |
| in their lives. The current past month misuse | | | | who continue to make unsafe drugs where safe |
| rate among Americans is 6.2 million. | | | | alternatives exist. Pharmaceutical |
| According to a recent white paper by | | | | manufactures must become better citizens and |
| Carnevale Associates, this rate of use is | | | | spend the research and development dollars to |
| already higher than the historical highs of | | | | make safe and effective drugs, rather than |
| both cocaine and heroin epidemics. | | | | taking the easy way out. |
| | | | |
| For some, the road to illicit use of | | | | This new phase of the war on drugs, without |
| prescription medications starts innocently. | | | | easily targeted foreigners to blame for |
| After a car accident, back injury, or, even, | | | | America's drug abuse problems, will take |
| a mental/emotional breakdown a physician | | | | unwavering political resolve, corporate |
| prescribes medication for a legitimate use. | | | | citizenship and ingenuity. Even then it is |
| Over time, tolerance builds up so that more | | | | likely to take years before the trend of |
| and more of the drug is needed until a state | | | | increases in prescription medicine abuse and |
| of dependence is reached. At this point, | | | | addiction can be reversed. |
| there is no easy way to get off the drug, and | | | | |
| stopping can involve painful withdrawal | | | | Common Prescription Drugs of Abuse: |
| symptoms. Some doctors have been known to | | | | |
| become afraid and cut their patients off at | | | | Opioids: these are synthetic versions of |
| this point. Patients have been known to steal | | | | opium. Intended for pain management opioids |
| prescription pads, or visit numerous doctors | | | | are the most commonly abused prescription |
| to get the drugs they have become addicted | | | | drugs. OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin |
| to. | | | | (hydrocodone) and Demerol (meperidine) are |
| | | | the most popular for abuse. Short-term side |
| However, contrary to popular belief, it is | | | | effects can include pain relief, euphoria, |
| not older adults or any adults who are most | | | | and drowsiness. Overdose can lead to death. |
| likely to abuse pharmaceuticals. In the past | | | | Long-term use can lead to dependence or |
| decade, abuse of prescription meds among | | | | addiction. |
| youth has been growing at an alarming | | | | |
| first-time use rate of more than fifty | | | | Depressants: These drugs are commonly |
| percent each year. In 2002, the latest year | | | | prescribed to treat anxiety; panic attacks, |
| for which there are statistics, approximately | | | | and sleep disorders. Nembutal (pentobarbital |
| 2.5 million American's misused prescriptions | | | | sodium), Valium (diazepam), and Xanax |
| for the first time and 44% of them were under | | | | (alprazolam) are just three of the many drugs |
| the age of 18. | | | | in this category. Immediately slow down |
| | | | normal brain functioning and can cause |
| Unfortunately, as the media fixes its gaze on | | | | sleepiness Long-term use can lead to physical |
| the methamphetamine problem; and the Office | | | | dependence and addiction. |
| of National Drug Control Policy spends much | | | | |
| of its time focusing on Marijuana the | | | | Stimulants: Doctors may prescribe these to |
| opportunity to address the pharmaceutical | | | | treat the sleeping disorder narcolepsy or |
| addiction and abuse is being missed. While | | | | attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, |
| certain steps have been taken they have been | | | | ADHD. Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Dexedrine |
| tentative. The ONDCP has drawn up a strategy | | | | (dextroamphetamine) are two commonly |
| for addressing synthetic drugs, but no | | | | prescribed stimulants. These drugs enhance |
| serious media campaign to educate Americans | | | | brain activity and increase alertness and |
| about the problem has been undertaken. Nor | | | | energy in much the same way as cocaine or |
| has any pharmaceutical company been brought | | | | methamphetamine. They increase blood |
| to heel for manufacturing drugs with high | | | | pressure; speed up heart rate, and |
| abuse potential even when alternatives may | | | | respiration. Very high doses can lead to |
| exist. | | | | irregular heartbeat and hyperthermia. |