Pubdate: Sat, 14 Nov 2009
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2546
Author: Jon Benton
Note: Jon Benton is a student at Merced College.

WHY DO HUMANS GET HIGH?

Humans are highly addictive creatures.

Essentially, most of our decisions are dictated by the  pleasures or
pains associated with a given action, all  of which are governed by
chemicals released in the  brain.

When we experience something meaningful or enjoyable,  our brains
reward us with pleasing chemicals to  encourage us to repeat that experience.

Because of this reward system in our brains, substances  that can
manipulate or synthesize these pleasing  chemicals can cause our
brains to become dependent on  them, and this can have devastating
effects on our  lives.

Popular substances like heroin, cocaine,  methamphetamines, and the
like, are dangerously  addictive and have ruined the lives of many who
have  entangled themselves with them.

And new drugs and ways of getting high are being  developed all the
time. In fact, a recent television  program showcased the strange new
trend among high  school students of snorting Flamin' Hot Cheetohs.

But despite the publicity that the aforementioned drugs  (and snack
items) get from the media, there is another,  more subtle drug problem
lurking outside of the  limelight: prescription medication addiction.

And Merced College's Students for Social Justice is  seeking to put a
spotlight on this alarmingly  widespread phenomenon.

The Students for Social Justice, also known as S4SJ, is  a student-run
organization whose aim is to achieve  genuine democracy and social
justice in America.

Covering a vast array of issues from the war in Iraq to  health care
reform to gay and lesbian rights, the S4SJ  often host monthly events
where speakers, film, and  open discussions are used to provoke
critical thinking  and social justice.

Thursday, the group will be tackling the issue of  prescription drug
addiction and abuse. This month's  theme was inspired by S4SJ member
Deborah Iversen, who  has had first-hand experience with the dangers
of  prescription drug addiction with the loss of two close  members of
her family.

According to Deborah, many Americans are falling victim  to a sort of
"accidental addiction" where, after being  prescribed drugs by a
doctor, they become dependent on  the medication.

And she is right: according to the National Institute  of Drug Abuse,
millions of Americans begin using  prescription drugs non-medically
every year.

Most of these drugs, including tranquilizers, sleeping  pills,
antidepressants, and pain relievers, were likely  prescribed to
initially treat a certain ailment or  condition, but ended up being
abused by the patient.

The S4SJ will be showing a video, "Our Pill Epidemic,"  which will
cover the different types of prescription  drugs most frequently
abused and their debilitating  effects on one's health, family, job,
and life.

In the discussion following the video, Deborah plans to  outline the
dangers of drugs not mentioned in the  video, addictive pain relievers
such as Valium,  codeine, and the increasingly popular Vicodin.

While Deborah is deeply passionate about this "pill  epidemic", she
makes it a point to not attack the wrong  people.

"This is not an attack on the medical community or an  attack on
doctors. But the truth is, pharmaceutical  companies are aware of how
dangerous these drugs are  and knowingly get them out there."

Most doctors are familiar with the addictive qualities  inherent in
many of these drugs, and Deborah believes  that most of them are
sincere, ensuring that their  patients are informed of the risks
before prescribing.

But millions of Americans are finding themselves hooked  to these
prescription meds, leading Deborah to believe  that something is amiss.

"There has to be a better way. This is seriously  ruining people's
lives."

The objective of this event is to spread awareness.  Recovery or
prevention "must start with the individual.  We all have a personal
responsibility to know about the  drugs we are taking and not fall
into this trap."

The Students for Social Justice will be showing the  video at Merced
College at 7 p.m. Thursday. It will be  held in Lesher, room 111.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake