Drug Abuse

by Jay Inslee

Prescription drug abuse has reached what many are speaking about as an epidemic. Over 7 million Americans are using prescription medications non medically, which in turn amounts to almost 3% of the US total population. Prescription drugs range from pain prescriptions, tranquilizers, stimulant drugs as well as sedative drugs. The largest breed of neglect occurs with pain prescriptions, of which 5 million People in america are generally abusing. The most frequent medications abused happen to be OxyContin and Vicodin. Tranquilizers are classified as the 2nd most mistreated, with 2 million abusers, then stimulant drugs (one million) and then sedatives at .4 million.

Teenagers are classified as the most problematic abusers of prescription drugs, generally caused by accessibility from medicine cabinets, parents and friends. Access to the internet to purchase prescription medications is really a worrisome areas due to easy access and few restrictions on delivery. In 2007 just about 10% of high school seniors had tried using Vicodin and five% had attempted OxyContin. Among those teens utilizing prescription medications, additional drug use, for instance pot and alcoholic beverages, is additionally prevalent.

Probably the most often mistreated kinds of prescription drugs are opioid, pain killers such as OxyContin along with Vicodin, depressant drugs and anti-anxiety medicine like Valium and Xanax plus stimulants for example Adderal and Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Just about every type of meds has their unique specific risks associated with major consumption.

Opioids tend to be addictive, as is any opiate. Any time OxyContin or Vicodin tend to be crushed and then snorted or injected, the absorption rate is significantly increased as compared to when the drugs are swallowed, and thus raising the risk of dependancy as well as the danger associated with overdose, respiratory despression symptoms and also loss of life. A different risk, recently acknowledged and extremely widespread, may be the switching from Oxycontin to heroin to be a cost saving strategy. Heroin is far less costly that Oxycontin and provides the similar high. Whenever abusers become hooked on Oxycontin and start to inject it, the switch to a less expensive drug, heroin, is well rationalized and justified. Whenever injecting substances, the chance of HIV becomes elevated due to needle sharing, thus adding an additional danger for users.

Any kind of tranquilizer, such as Xanax, Valium, or any benzodiazepine, is extremely habit forming as well as easily available from physicians. Their own medicinal worth is unquestionable however their prospect of neglect is considerable. Tranquilizers are largely prescribed as a cure for stress and anxiety as well as sleeplessness, however their attractiveness lies in taking a more substantial medication dosage as well as adding alcohol or even other prescription drugs. The mixture associated with tranquilizers and alcohol is especially unsafe, as self-consciousness are lowered to a stage of complete shortage of care. Overdose because of breathing problems may be possible. Of higher concern is the difficulty experienced when attempting to cease using tranquilizers. Extreme withdrawal indications consist of dissociation relating to mind and body, bafflement, disorientation and seizures. Halting use without healthcare oversight is actually harmful and may result in loss of life.

Stimulants like Adderal and Ritalin, generally recommended for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are both amphetamine-based drug treatments. These are generally recommended for young children and are difficult to cease. The actual depressive disorders that develops following cessation of amphetamines is quite real as a result of decrease in dopamine levels in the brain. Addicts abuse “legal” amphetamines by way of snorting them or injecting them. As soon as this process begins, the user might switch to cocaine or methamphetamine to get a greater or even longer euphoric feeling. As with any stimulant utilization, the addict will experience from a hazardously high heart rate, substantial body temperature and heart conditions.

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NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP – “Let’s make every day a drug take back day,” said Northampton Township Police Chief Barry Pilla in unveiling the first 24-hour prescription drug collection box in Pennsylvania on Thursday.
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Prescription Drug Abuse: UN: Sharp drops in opium, coca production in 2010
World opium production decreased sharply last year due to a blight in Afghanistan but is expected to rebound, and coca growing and cocaine production also fell, the United Nations reported Thursday.
Read more on AP via Yahoo! Singapore News

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