Prescription drug abuse continues to be a problem among the youth of our country. Teens are using the drugs for a variety of reasons, but they fail to see the seriousness of the problem.

Adolescents abuse prescription drugs more than just about any other substance. “For adolescents, prescription drugs are second only to marijuana as the most popular form of illegal drug use,” says Steven Ungerleider, PhD., founding editor of The Prevention Researcher. “With 22% of high school seniors reporting that they have used nonmedical prescription drugs sometime in their lives, abuse of these drugs is a growing concern for parents and many professionals who work with youth.” (1)

Entertainment

There are different reasons why teens abuse different prescription drugs. Some are taken purely for entertainment or to help them enjoy a party more. These prescription pills float around from student to student, sometimes without the user even knowing what they are taking. Pill parties are get-togethers where adolescents bring whatever drugs they could get from home or a relative’s house, and take turns popping the pills and exploring the effects.

Performance Enhancement

Other teens have begun taking prescription drugs to enhance their performance at school. Medications that help people focus or increase energy so a student can stay up all night to study are the most commonly abused. Often with these kinds of drugs, students don’t even see that it is wrong, because they see it helping out for a good purpose.

Meeting a Need

Still other teens take antidepressants, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety medication without a prescription to help with these kinds of mental health issues. While these teens may be in need of a real prescription because they do have a condition that warrants it, taking the drugs without a prescription is illegal and it can be harmful.

Dangerous and Illegal

Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem. Drugs can have fatal side effects, especially if taken in combination with other drugs or alcohol. Other drugs are so addicting that by abusing them when they are young, adolescents are setting themselves up for a life of addiction.

Because prescription medications come from a doctor, many adolescents still do not believe that taking them is wrong. Prescription drugs seem like a harmless way to have fun or to solve a little problem, and because of the great number of teens abusing these drugs and the ease with which the pills can be acquired, many don’t see it as wrong or dangerous. We need to get the message out to our young people that prescription drug abuse is dangerous. The researchers at The Prevention Researcher conclude that “it is imperative that service professionals who work with adolescent populations be aware of this emerging and serious issue. Clearly, any substance use prevention programs that target adolescents must include information on nonmedical prescription drug use.” (1)

Sources

(1) New Resources for Prevention of Adolescent Prescription Drug Abuse

The Partnership at Drugfree.org Collaborates With Award-Winning TV Personality and Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern

The Prevention Researcher

Methamphetamine is one of those drugs that is truly addicting and it truly changes its user’s appearance and brain function. Many people who experiment with this drug just once or twice end up hopelessly addicted, ruining their lives and sometimes the lives of others as well.

Horrible Attacks

Story after story has come out in recent years about brutal murders and unreal attacks, all caused by delusional meth users. Mothers killing children, a boyfriend beating a girlfriend to death with a hammer, a woman drowning her baby in a washing machine; all these people were high on meth when they committed these unthinkable crimes.

Going beyond typical murder, these cases show extreme violence and torture. “When you get this type of tragedy, it’s not a surprise that drugs were involved,” said Lt. Mark Salazar, the Fresno Police Department’s homicide commander who investigated the latest of these crimes. “Meth has been a factor in other violent crimes.” (1) The National Drug Intelligence Center claims that meth is a top contributor to crimes and thefts. “It drives more crime than other drugs do. Meth is in its own category, because it’s so much more addictive than other drugs,” said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims. (1)

Meth in California

California has an especially high rate of meth production, much of it taking place on agricultural land run by Mexican drug lords. These “super labs” are controlled by Mexican traffickers who distribute their goods all across the country. According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Intelligence Center, from 2009 to 2010 methamphetamine busts in the Central Valley more than tripled to 1,094 kilograms, or more than 2,400 pounds. (1)

Psychosis for Meth Users

Meth, which has been called the poor man’s cocaine, is extremely addicting. It gives users a feeling of euphoria and confidence, but after a short time the meth alters the addict’s brain chemistry. They become psychotic, hearing voices and hallucinating. In severe cases, like the violent murders, meth addicts have exhibited schizophrenia-like behavior.

“Once people who are on meth become psychotic, they are very dangerous,” said Dr. Alex Stalcup, who researches meth and works with addicts in California. “They’re completely bonkers; they’re nuts. We’re talking about very extreme alterations of normal brain function. Once someone becomes triggered to violence, there aren’t any limits or boundaries.” (1)

Meth addiction has been called the biggest drug threat in Central Valley, California, and authorities are working to crack down on both users and distributers. However, the size of many of these operations will make it a difficult problem to manage. It will take the combined efforts of the government, law enforcement, treatment professionals, and family and friends of users to make a difference. 

Sources

(1) Horrific murder no surprise in U.S. meth capital

Sacramento man sentenced for murder with hammer

Meth law tightens restrictions on sale of key ingredients

An estimated 46 million Americans receive food stamps every month. With the economy largely on people’s minds and talk of budget deficits widespread, some people are looking to the food stamp system to fight fraud and save costs.

Fighting Welfare Fraud

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs taxpaying Americans $89 billion a year, and the number continues to rise. There are many people who absolutely need that help in order to feed their family. But with 1 in 7 Americans making use of the program and the eligibility requirements generous, there are many who are abusing the system. There is no extra money to be throwing around in our government at this time, so many people are looking to cut overspending wherever they can.

In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Senator Jeff Sessions questions the tactics put in place to combat food stamp fraud. ” I have a responsibility on behalf of taxpayers to hold federal agencies accountable for how public funds are being spent. I would therefore ask that the Committee be immediately provided with a thorough explanation of all oversight actions your Department is taking, as well as a list of recommended federal reforms that would reduce waste, inefficiency, and abuse in the food stamp program. I would further ask for a follow-up report within the next sixty days detailing the findings of all oversight that USDA will have conducted….Unmonitored welfare programs, over time, can hurt the very people we are seeking to help. Our goal is not only to improve the outlook for our indebted Treasury, but to help needy Americans achieve a better future through work and personal development.” (1)

Drug Tests for Food Stamps

Sessions, Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, is not alone in his regards. It is becoming more and more evident that too many people are misusing the system and trading their food stamps for drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. One only has to spend time in low income areas to see how many illegal transactions involve food stamps and how the cards even have going rates on the streets.

That’s why some states are now testing welfare recipients for drugs prior to giving them their assistance. As Senator Michael Watson of Mississippi said, “Our system is abused. Across the state, lawmakers have big hearts and truly want to help people, but we want to help people who also want to help themselves. To the people who are taking advantage of our generosity and hardworking Mississippian’s tax dollars, we want to say no more,” Watson said. “The folks that can work, need to get a job and stop taking advantage of our system.” (2)

While there is much controversy over the issue, most people would agree that taxpayer money in the form of food stamps should not be used to fund a drug addict’s habit or business. There must be a way to better regulate the assistance and to direct those who are abusing drugs to treatment or rehab.

Sources

(1) Anti-Fraud Efforts

(2) Pascagoula Sen. Michael Watson proposes drug testing welfare recipients

Fraud Victimizes Hungry

Despite the combined efforts of federal and local governments, doctors, and drug prevention advocates, prescription drug abuse continues to rise. The problem has been named a top priority for the White House’s drug control strategy, and states and municipalities have taken steps to control the sale of prescription drugs, as well as encourage treatment for those who are addicted.

2012 National Rx Drug Abuse Summit

The National Rx Drug Abuse Summit will be held in a few months to discuss understanding and cooperation between authorities, lawmakers, physicians, and advocates to battle this epidemic. It is fitting that the conference is being held in Florida, deemed to be the prescription drug capital of the world with its numerous pill mills and pain clinics, many of which have been shut down or monitored more closely in recent months. “Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.” (1)

Partnership Between UNITE and ARC

The conference is being organized by UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education) and ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) and will feature speakers such as Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the NIDA.  “Mr. Kerlikowske is very aware of the devastating impacts of prescription drug abuse and diversion,” said Karen Kelly, president and chief executive officer of Operation UNITE. (2) “We are excited that Dr. Volkow will share her expertise during the Summit,” Kelly said. “She is a highly-regarded professional whose work has engaged the entire health care system to seek appropriate responses and effective treatments for addiction.” (1)

Bringing People Together for Solutions

The conference, scheduled for April 10-12, will bring together legislators, healthcare practitioners, law enforcement, substance abuse counselors, pharmaceutical executives, researchers, and advocates working to create awareness all for a common goal. It is expected to be an instrumental tool in the fight against prescription drug abuse. As Congressman Hal Rogers, Chair, House Appropriations Committee said, “We cannot afford to ignore the fast-growing drug problem in America. It impacts everything from medical expenses to workforce viability and it requires a multi-faceted approach with support, from not only state and national leaders, but also leaders on the ground in our rural and urban communities. This first of its kind Summit will get all parties together to address this issue.” (3)

Sources

(1) ARC, UNITE take part in drug summit

(2) Drug czar to speak at prescription abuse summit in April

(3) National RX Drug Abuse Summit

A summary of global drug abuse statistics was released by Australian researchers last week. The report shows the estimated numbers of drug abusers in various areas of the world, and finds that wealthier, more advanced countries are more at risk. Among the study’s findings are estimates of illicit drug abuse throughout the world:

• Between 149 million and 271 million people worldwide used an illicit drug at least once in 2009; which equals 1 in 20 people aged 15 to 64 who have used an illegal drug. (1)
• In North America, nearly 11% of the population aged 15 to 64 used cannabis in 2009. (1)
• Between 14 million and 56 million people aged 15 to 64 worldwide used amphetamine-type stimulants, such as speed and crystal meth. (1)
• Cocaine use was highest in North America in 2009, and it had 14 million to 21 million users worldwide. (1)
• Opioid use, including heroin, had an estimated 12 million to 21 million users globally. The highest rates of use were in the Near and Middle East, where up to 1.4% of the population aged 15 to 64 had tried the drug at least once in 2009. (1)
• There are between 11 million and 21 million people who inject drugs worldwide. (2)

More Drug Abuse in Wealthy Countries

Much of the drug abuse around the world can be found in the wealthiest and most developed countries. This is possibly because residents have more access to drugs, or have the means to buy drugs, or maybe because people in these countries are of the mindset that they deserve what makes them feel the best. The study “serves to confirm something addiction experts have known for some time — that the extent of illicit drug use and abuse in developed countries like the United States has reached epidemic proportions,” said Dr. Jeffrey T. Parsons, a professor in the department of psychology at Hunter College, in New York City. (2)

Prescription Drug Abuse

Countries like the U.S. have other things to worry about also, besides illicit drugs. Legal prescription painkillers are becoming the most abused substances in our country. Dr. Marc Galanter said, “It is important that we call attention to very serious drug abuse problems that still exist in the United States. For example, we are seeing recent increases in abuse of painkillers in the United States, as well as the abuse of MDMA [Ecstasy] by adolescents and young adults. Abuse of these particular drugs is not prevalent in less industrialized countries.” (2)

Tobacco and Alcohol Are Also Risks

Other substance, like tobacco and alcohol also have a huge impact on countries throughout the world. Although illicit drug use was linked with about 250,000 deaths worldwide in 2004, alcohol claimed roughly 2.25 million lives globally during that same time period, while tobacco use led to an estimated 5.1 million deaths. (1)

Sources

(1) Worldwide illegal drug use estimated at 200 million people a year

(2) Global Study Finds Drug Abuse Highest in Richer Nations

200 Million People Use Illicit Drugs, Study Finds

Pain makes us do things we wouldn’t normally do. It can alter our mood, change our perception, and cause depression. For anyone dealing with chronic pain, the natural reaction is to find a way to lessen the pain, even if that means doing something drastic.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, and 25 million experience acute pain as a result of injury or surgery. (1) Still, many of these people do not feel they are able to get relief from their chronic pain. Either the medications and treatment they’ve tried haven’t worked, or they haven’t even sought out help.

Painkiller Abuse

When some people do find relief in the form of prescription painkillers, they are so overcome with the feeling of relief that they want to continue taking the pills, even at a dangerous level. Not only that, but many prescription painkillers are addicting and cause a feeling of euphoria, which also leads to abuse and addiction. For these reasons, someone who is being prescribed painkillers known to cause addiction, such as OxyContin or Vicodin, must be warned of the potential for addiction and be monitored closely for signs of abuse.

Not all people who are on prescription painkillers abuse them or are dependent on them, but the rate of prescription abuse is increasing. In 2008, more than 36,000 people died from drug overdoses, and most of these deaths were caused by prescription drugs, and more than 12 million people reported using prescription painkillers nonmedically in 2010. (2) All it takes is one injury or illness, and the person can be hooked for life on the meds that are prescribed.

Abusing the System

Managing chronic pain is important because without relief, a person’s mental health can easily suffer. Pain clinics are much more common today than they were 10 years ago, and there are many doctors that specialize in properly treating pain, which results in happier, healthier patients. All too often, however, patients who are addicted to the painkillers find it easy to refill prescriptions, or to get extra pills from different doctors, or order additional pills on the Internet. There are many doctors and pill mills who are willing to sell prescription painkillers, even without a valid prescription, and the ease at which people can get painkillers adds greatly to their abuse.

Doctors and pharmacists need to be extremely diligent about filling prescriptions, and do all they can to stop those who are getting pills just to feed their addiction. Many states are working on developing databases that track prescriptions for all patients at all clinics and hospitals. These monitoring databases alert authorities when a person is doctor shopping, or finding other ways to get more pills. Pain should be managed in a responsible, effective way, and patients and doctors alike need to be more aware of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and work to prevent it from happening.

Sources

(1) The American Chronic Pain Association

(2) CDC

NIDA for Teens

What if marijuana was legal? The marijuana debate has many people wondering the answer to that question. People are very polarized on the topic, and both sides think they can predict what would happen if marijuana were legalized. States like California that allow marijuana to be used and grown for medical purposes are a good place to start looking, but we can’t use them to predict accurately because marijuana is still illegal in our country, according to the federal government. That affects how the drug is sold, transported, and taxed.

True and complete legalization for marijuana would have implications that we just can’t predict. No society has suddenly made marijuana, which is used and abused in private across the country, free and legal for all to use. Experts on the subject are more than willing to make guesses at what would happen if marijuana was legal.

Keeping Marijuana Illegal

Scientific studies may have conflicting results, but overall they link smoking marijuana to heart and lung disease, throat cancer, and a decreased memory capacity. Therefore, making marijuana legal would increase the number of people being affected by these diseases. Others point to the staggering amount of drugs that have been seized coming into the United States. They point to how drug use is strongly linked to criminal activity, and predict that legalizing marijuana would lead to an increase in violence and crime. (1)

The federal government, which overall is working to keep marijuana illegal, agrees that there is no real benefit to legalizing marijuana. “As a former police chief, I recognize we are not going to arrest our way out of the problem,” wrote Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. “We also recognize that legalizing marijuana would not provide the answer to any of the health, social, youth education, criminal justice, and community quality of life challenges associated with drug use.”(2)

Legalizing Marijuana

Those who want to see marijuana become legal claim that the drug war is failing, that people arrested and imprisoned for marijuana use are not cured of their habit during time spent in jail. They predict that legalizing and controlling marijuana would decrease crimes associated with the substance, and lead to safer and more responsible use of the substance.(1)

Those in favor of legalization also point to the medicinal uses for marijuana. It relieves nausea suffered by cancer patients undergoing powerful chemotherapy. It is also used by patients who have multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and AIDS. (3)

NORML, a group that is working to reform marijuana laws, makes the following summary. “Legalizing marijuana won’t address drug use.  It will address marijuana use by regulating it like we do alcohol and tobacco. Legal marijuana would be an answer to many Americans’ health challenges.  Legal marijuana would raise tax revenues to benefit society and community. Legal marijuana removes the cost of arresting, prosecution, and monitoring on parole and probation and, by definition, eliminates crime.”(4)

Sources

(1) History and background of marijuana in the United States

(2) Smoked Out! White House Rejects Marijuana Legalization Petitions

(3) Legalizing Marijuana

(4) White House response to NORML’s “We the People” marijuana legalization petition

Consumers spend more money in the month of December than at any other time of the year. For someone struggling with unemployment or financial strains, this time of year can be depressing.

Being unemployed or financially unstable for any reason takes a toll on a person’s mental health. Especially at a time of year when presents are common (or expected), when families want to travel to see each other, and when lots of expenses tend to creep up, being financially unable to keep up with society can be disappointing. Many people turn to drinking or drugs to take their cares away, which leads to even more troubles. Other people become depressed and their mental health is so impacted that they begin to lose touch with reality.

Making Use of Resources Available

Someone with a substance abuse problem or a mental health issue should seek professional help. However, when one struggles with making ends meet, mental health tends to be overlooked. If someone has to choose between seeing a psychiatrist or feeding their family, they are going to spend the money on their family. What someone in this situation doesn’t always realize is that mental stability can go a long way toward getting someone back on their feet. They also may not be aware of programs and facilities in their area that can help without charging a lot of money.

The Importance of Good Mental Health

There are resources set up in most areas to help those in dire situations. Shelters, food banks, and energy assistance help with basic physical needs. However, we need to not overlook the hidden problems of poverty, including depression, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. These things must be managed before a person can live a stable life again and start working their way up. It’s hard to hold down a job when you have a hard time dragging yourself out of bed in the morning. It’s hard to be strong enough to take care of your kids if you have severe anxiety or another mental disorder. You can’t get a job if you keep failing the drug tests. We don’t think about it enough, but mental health is very important to a person’s overall wellbeing.

Getting Help Early

Prevention and early intervention are key. Someone who feels themself slipping mentally because of financial problems should get help sooner rather than later. Any feelings of depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol cravings, or other compulsive behaviors are cause for concern and should be addressed. Anyone in a tough financial situation who is feeling these things should seek help. Humans’ mental health is very valuable. Don’t let that slip away, even if it seems that there is no hope.

Sources

Study Finds Correlation between Rapid Rise in Unemployment and Alcohol Abuse

Getting Through Tough Economic Times

Poor economy hurting Flagler health

What can we do about the Mexican drug cartels? They only seem to growing in power despite everyone’s best tactics. According to the newest drama out of Washington, the U.S. has been using a flawed strategy to combat these violent men.

Handing Over Our Guns

The operation, based in Phoenix, was called Fast and Furious and it seems that it lived up to its name. The goal was to find cartel leaders by using a tactic called “gun walking”. U.S. agents sold guns to “straw buyers” and then tried to follow the guns’ trail, hoping they would lead them to cartel leaders. What ended up happening is the guns began flowing into U.S. streets and to Mexican cartels, without being traced. We succeeded in supplying the cartels with guns – not the best technique when it comes to the most violent drug traffickers on earth.

It’s unclear if because of this operation we were able to find and take down any high-ranking cartel leaders, but we do know that the guns started showing up in some pretty undesirable places. Two guns were used at the scene of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry’s death in December of 2010. Other guns have been traced to deaths in Mexico and in Arizona, and at least 40 crimes have been linked to the guns. With a total of 1800 guns used in the Fast and Furious operation, the damage we will see from it in the end is staggering. “Although the department has taken steps to ensure that such tactics are never used again, it is an unfortunate reality that we will continue to feel the effects of this flawed operation for years to come,” Attorney General Eric Holder said. (1)

A Failed and Flawed Operation

The operation, led by the Phoenix division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has been dubbed “failed and flawed” from the beginning. At this point, not many people would argue with that statement. It is becoming clear that ATF officials knew that guns were being released into Mexico, but more investigation will take place before we know why no one called the tactic off when it was obvious that it was only going to be successful in supplying the cartels with guns. Attorney General Eric Holder was under fire last week for his failure to help investigators get to the bottom of the orders of the operation. Holder himself agrees that Fast and Furious was “inexcusable” and made use of “misguided tactics”. (1)

Reclaiming Our Border

While the investigation of this operation is becoming political and will take up much time and attention in Congress, the real question remains: What can we do about the Mexican drug cartels? These individuals are very inventive, bold, and powerful. They will stop at nothing to keep their drug rings intact, including murder, kidnapping, and fooling the U.S. government. They’ve already got dozens of clever ways to physically sneak drugs across the border, they’ve recruited American teenagers to help with their operations, and they’ve terrorized our border towns. It will take a great deal of brain power, man power, and money to stop the cartels from setting up shop in the United States, all things that have been lacking in our efforts so far.

Sources

(1) ATF Gun Scandal: Holder Declared Hostile Witness Before Congress

‘Heads should roll’: U.S. Attorney General slammed over botched ‘Fast and Furious’ drug sting

Holder faces House Republicans over health-care law, ‘Fast and Furious’

Prescription drug abuse is still a growing problem in our country. Our society needs to have a greater awareness of the dangers of prescription drugs, and how to prevent their abuse.

An estimated 70% of people who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or family. (1) This is because it’s easy. Walking into a friend or family member’s bathroom and taking a few pills out doesn’t take much planning ahead or boldness – the pills are there, and the person is by themselves with the door closed and locked. It is easy; and it happens too often.

Permanent Drop Off Locations

The government has held several National Drug Take Back days, times when people throughout the country can take their prescription pills in to have them disposed of properly. The Take Back days have been very successful and in two years collected more than 300 tons of pills. The most recent Take Backs were held this past October, but more and more communities are setting up their own permanent take back boxes. These secure boxes are installed at police departments to allow for safe drop offs at any time. Montana’s take back boxes have been up and running since 2010, with 11 locations statewide. “The immediate success of the prescription drug drop box program shows Montanans are worried about the invisible epidemic of prescription drug abuse,” Attorney General Steve Bullock said. (2)

Safe Disposal

Prescription drug drop offs give people an easy way to keep drugs out of the hands of users. It is more secure than the old methods of disposing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet. These old methods raise concerns because people who are desperate enough can go through people’s garbage for drugs, and flushing drugs down the toilet can contaminate the water supply. The drop offs are also anonymous, adding to the appeal for people to make use of them. “This method has been proven to be safe and effective,” said Greg Tochtrop, assistant professor of chemistry and pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University. (3) “People shouldn’t be afraid to use the drop boxes. We aren’t going to check labels for names and we’re not going to monitor who uses the drop-off points,” a Mesquite, Nevada Drug Task Force agent remarked. (2)

The goal is to have drop boxes set up in police stations across the country. This is an easy way to ensure that expired or unused drugs do not get into the wrong hands. All it will take is some education and awareness for the public. The more we tell people of the risks of prescription drugs on the street, in homes, and in schools, the more lives we can save. “All of us have drugs in our medicine cabinet that are outdated and people don’t know what to do with them,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Take them to the drop offs rather than flushing them down the toilet.” (3)

Sources

(1) Prescription drug drop boxes prove popular in Billings

(2) AG: Drop-box program nets half ton of Rx drugs

(3) Unused prescription drug dropoff opportunities at several Greater Cleveland locations on Saturday

Drug Drop Boxes Now in Place