Prescription drug abuse ravages a state's youth

According to an article from MSNBC.com, the effects of prescription drug abuse in the United States are becoming more apparent every day.

Here’s a quote from the article:

“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says nearly 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, noting that is ‘more than the number who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy and inhalants combined.’ The DEA also reports that ‘opioid painkillers now cause more overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined.’”

The problem of abusing prescription drugs resulted in 8,500 American deaths in the year 2005 alone, and the numbers are only climbing.

There is a problem across the United States, but Kentucky really seems to be suffering from the epidemic the most.  “Kentucky led the nation in the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes during the last year, according to the state’s Office of Drug Control Policy. Officials said prescription drug abuse is particularly acute in the cities and rural areas of Eastern Kentucky.”

Kentucky lost 485 people to prescription drug abuse just last year. Drug overdoses resulted in abuse of drugs such as methodone, Xanax and Vicodin .  The region now has a newly formed drug court.

Another problem that is coming out of the prescription drug epidemic, especially in Kentucky is that drug rehabilitation clinics are becoming over crowded. Those looking for drug rehab are unable to get the treatment that they need and deserve due to overcrowding.

What makes this kind of drug addiction very scary is the shear availability of these kinds of pills. Children can easily obtain prescription medications because they are already in their homes, just ready for consumption.

According to the article, this epidemic in Kentucky is taking its toll on families of all different types. There are children who are from good families that are falling victim to prescription drug abuse.

Prescription drug abuse just might be one of the most under reported drug epidemic in the country and it’s affecting American lives.

More information on kids getting drugs at home.

This entry was posted in Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse Rehab, Young Adult Addiction and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Prescription drug abuse ravages a state's youth

  1. The following is taken from our recent article on Michael Jackson:

    “Lest you be confused about this drug thing, there is little difference between illegal/recreational drugs, and prescription drugs, with the exceptions being the legitimacy of the “entity” which produces them, who gets to prescribe them, and whether politicians benefit. Drugs be drugs.

    “Take it from some guys who matured (arguably) during the drugs, sex, and rock and roll years. We know lots of successful doctors, business people, family people, accountants, judges, and pillars of society who once used drugs in many a form and fashion. Fortunately for most of them and for society, they appreciated that drugs might be an interesting pastime, but not a life long journey.”

  2. Margaret says:

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Margaret

  3. Unique says:

    It is very difficult to take the pills, vicodin in this case we are gaining control of our body, we must remain very careful and not fall and hang on to drugs, always remember to look at this couple and for our future. I read findrxonline certainly are very addictive and so we need to know control.

  4. Megan says:

    A lot of people don’t really know the whole truth about prescription drugs. They might think that they are not as bad.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Bookmark and Share

Parent Solutions Manual

Drug testing reference guide