Medicine Information Article:

Pharmaceuticals: The Next Frontier in America's War on Drugs

America's war on drugs, which has been fought in the opiumfields of Afghanistan and the cocaine plantations ofColumbia, will have to reinvent itself to combat what is setto be America's biggest drug abuse problem, pharmaceuticals.One in five American's, nearly 48 million, have usedprescription drugs for non-medical purposes at least once intheir lives. The current past month misuse rate amongAmericans is 6.2 million. According to a recent white paperby Carnevale Associates, this rate of use is already higherthan the historical highs of both cocaine and heroinepidemics.

For some, the road to illicit use of prescriptionmedications starts innocently. After a car accident, backinjury, or, even, a mental/emotional breakdown a physicianprescribes medication for a legitimate use. Over time,tolerance builds up so that more and more of the drug isneeded until a state of dependence is reached. At thispoint, there is no easy way to get off the drug, andstopping can involve painful withdrawal symptoms. Somedoctors have been known to become afraid and cut theirpatients off at this point. Patients have been known tosteal prescription pads, or visit numerous doctors to getthe drugs they have become addicted to.

However, contrary to popular belief, it is not older adultsor any adults who are most likely to abuse pharmaceuticals.In the past decade, abuse of prescription meds among youthhas been growing at an alarming first-time use rate of morethan fifty percent each year. In 2002, the latest year forwhich there are statistics, approximately 2.5 millionAmerican'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 themethamphetamine problem; and the Office of National DrugControl Policy spends much of its time focusing on Marijuanathe opportunity to address the pharmaceutical addiction andabuse is being missed. While certain steps have been takenthey have been tentative. The ONDCP has drawn up a strategyfor addressing synthetic drugs, but no serious mediacampaign to educate Americans about the problem has beenundertaken. Nor has any pharmaceutical company been broughtto heel for manufacturing drugs with high abuse potentialeven when alternatives may exist.

The next battle in America's war on drugs must draw a beadon pharmaceuticals. The ONDCP must be willing to launch thesame type of hard hitting ad campaigns against prescriptiondrug abuse as it has against, marijuana, ecstasy andcocaine. The FDA must not be afraid to sanction drugmanufacturers who continue to make unsafe drugs where safealternatives exist. Pharmaceutical manufactures must becomebetter citizens and spend the research and developmentdollars to make safe and effective drugs, rather than takingthe easy way out.

This new phase of the war on drugs, without easily targetedforeigners to blame for America's drug abuse problems, willtake unwavering political resolve, corporate citizenship andingenuity. Even then it is likely to take years before thetrend of increases in prescription medicine abuse andaddiction can be reversed.

Common Prescription Drugs of Abuse:

Opioids: these are synthetic versions of opium. Intended forpain management opioids are the most commonly abusedprescription drugs. OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin(hydrocodone) and Demerol (meperidine) are the most popularfor 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 treatanxiety; panic attacks, and sleep disorders. Nembutal(pentobarbital sodium), Valium (diazepam), and Xanax(alprazolam) are just three of the many drugs in thiscategory. Immediately slow down normal brain functioning andcan cause sleepiness Long-term use can lead to physicaldependence and addiction.

Stimulants: Doctors may prescribe these to treat thesleeping disorder narcolepsy orattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD. Ritalin(methylphenidate) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) are twocommonly prescribed stimulants. These drugs enhance brainactivity and increase alertness and energy in much the sameway as cocaine or methamphetamine. They increase bloodpressure; speed up heart rate, and respiration. Very highdoses can lead to irregular heartbeat and hyperthermia.

© 2005, David Westbrook

About the Author: Dave Westbrook has worked in the field ofcrisis intervention and addictions for several years. Formore information on prescription med abuse and otheraddiction related topics visit http://www.addictionsresources.com

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