A mix a prescription drugs will turn deadly
The statistics are frightening. Seven of the top ten drugs being abused by teenagers today are legal prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. The intentional abuse of prescription drugs has been identified by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as the second most abused substance by teenagers. Marijuana still ranks first but it is quickly followed by painkillers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives.
The shocking reminder of what a self-administered mix of prescription drugs can lead to is the recent untimely death of Michael Jackson. Perhaps even more shocking is where and how teenagers are getting access to prescription drugs.
Many parents have never heard the term "pharm" party. Short for pharmaceutical party, these gatherings bring together teens who have raided the medicine cabinets of family and friends. The host provides a large bowl. All the pills are tossed into the bowl and each teen grabs a handful of pills to swallow. To add to the danger, the pills are often taken using some alcoholic beverage to wash them down. Alcohol and one drug can be a lethal combination. Alcohol and an unstable mix of various drugs is a more potent killer.
Why do teens find that activity engaging? Experts have identified many reasons. Simple curiosity is one. Fitting in with the group is another. Some teenagers have said it makes them feel good or more grown-up. Unfortunately, teens are far more likely to become addicted quickly and have a harder time trying to get sober than older abusers.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs are the opioids. Usually used as painkillers these drugs include morphine, codeine, OxyContin and Vicodin. This class of drugs also includes Demerol a drug which may have figured in several celebrity deaths, including Michael Jackson. After opioids, stimulants and tranquilizers are most abused. Even Ritalin, a drug used mostly for children to control Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is being taken in larger than prescribed doses to get a buzz. As long ago as 1996, the DEA reported that there has been a 1,000% increase in drug abuse injury reports involving methylphenidate (Ritalin) for children in the 10 to 14 age group. It now equals or exceeds injury reports for the same age group involving cocaine.
The DEA study went on to conclude there is also strong evidence that Ritalin and other drugs prescribed for ADD and ADHD have been greatly over-prescribed in some parts of the country. These drugs are being used as a panacea for behavior problems. Over-promoted, over-marketed and over-sold, profits from Ritalin reached $450 million annually. Not only does the over medication of many children constitutes a potential health risk it has also created a new source of drug abuse and illicit traffic.
Fortunately many parents are waking up to the threat that prescription drugs pose to their children. An annual study conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and Met Life, showed that in 2007 the number of parents mistakenly believing that abusing prescription medicines is "much safer" than using illicit street drugs dropped by nearly half—from 19% in 2007 to just 10% in 2008.
For more info: Visit The Partnership for a Drug Free America website
Comments
I'm a 23 year old male,who just graduated college, and i am no stranger to drug use. When it comes to pharms, the opioids are far outnumbered by the stimulants. Ritalin(methylphenidate) Adderall(various amphetamine salts) And Dexxies(Dexedrine though discontinued i think) Opiates like the hydrocodones and various codines are a close second in usage. Dilaudid(hydromorphone) is especially sought after. Now whether or not a parent cares and thinks its in the childs best interest, the last thing any teen or young adult in the drug scene wants to hear is some expert says this will harm you. We know we aren't invincible, many of us have just hit the point of not caring about dangers because these drugs take us out of the normal grind. Encourage teens to talk when they feel like it, the more you push to be there for them, the more they repel away from you. Don't baby them, be honest and straightforward. The last person they will listen to is some faceless expert making assumptions.
i have to say i learned my lesson with pills overdoseing was scary as hell ok
Well, the drug companies and the government wanted our kids to substitute synthetic garbage for cannabis and mushrooms. Its understandable, because you can get good grades and work long hours on Ritalin, Anti-depressants, Meth and Coke. Its Ronald Reagan's enslavement dream realized. Opiods tend to make work productivity in 70 year olds less effecient.
Lets ban opiods for one year now. Prohibition will end.
I recently found out a friend from high school just lost his sister-in-law and his brother is still in ICU. And they are (were) in their 40s. So this evidently isn't just something that is happening with the youth. What on earth are these people thinking? Personally, I think they are trying to fill a void that only a personal relationship with Jesus can fill.
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