Pubdate: Sun, 10 Nov 2002
Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Note: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Author: Alex Putnik

PRESCRIPTION-DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC

The sun is starting to set on people addicted to prescription drugs. Fred 
Shulte's article on painkillers was informative and alarming, but just 
scratched the surface on what has become a full-blown epidemic.

The common solution to a problem of either physical or mental discomfort is 
to prescribe a pill. But one is not enough, and thus starts the cycle that 
separates the people in need from the abusers.

Unfortunately, this has become a problem for young and old alike, and 
recreational use of painkillers is becoming the No. 1 drug problem of the 
day, especially with the younger set.

Until the medical field comes up with safer alternative treatments or 
starts to vigorously monitor persons taking these pills, the problem won't 
be going away anytime soon.

I also believe that advertising is to be held responsible. What else can 
you expect when on TV you can see ads for everything from Prozac to Botox, 
all claiming that you need them to feel better and live a normal life?

I have personally known many young people involved in either taking or 
selling prescription painkillers and they are able to obtain them with 
ease. They start with one or two, then three or four, and so on and they 
don't even realize they have a problem. For them it's no big deal. Just 
something to take the edge off.

There are no quick fixes in life. A pill won't solve your problems. Drug 
companies are just concerned with profit; the human factor does not even 
register.

Until all parties involved acknowledge that there is a problem, painkillers 
will continue being abused.

Alex Putnik, Boca Raton
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager