...their drug abuse interrupts their lives. The most prevalent drugs of abuse among teenagers include alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs as well as common over-the-counter medications such as cough syrups containing pseudoephedrine and inhalants. This paper focuses on the drug abuse of prescription medications among teenagers from age 13 to 18 that has emerged as a public health concern and one that has evolved into epidemic levels. This seeks to elevate the visibility of the elapsed challenges, and problems associated with this epidemic. Prescription Medication Abuse: A Public Health Threat There is a compelling rationale that prescription medications are intentionally to be taken under the direction of a physician because if improperly consume these can be hazardous. Subsequently, teens are crafting decision to abuse prescription medications based on lack of information. In fact, numerous teens assumed that prescription medication abuse is safer than abusing illicit medications. Unfortunately, drug abuse pertaining to medication prescription is on the rise. This is the primary reason why this is relevant to me, more over because I have two teenagers. In 2004, approximately 15 million Americans between the ages of 12 and up took prescription medication illicitly. Painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, and steroids are some powerful prescription medications that teens abused. How are these prescription medications abused? These...
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...Health Care Reform Project: Part I-Prescription Drugs Prescription drug abuse and prescription overprescribing, of all categories, is becoming rampant in the United States. It is also one of the most rapidly growing dilemmas in America influencing people of all ages. Prescription drug use in the past was limited to adults. Over the last decade, more and more children and adolescents are consumers of these drugs. Coping with children who behaved badly in the past has taken a new direction that includes prescribing medications. Medical professions now have the option to prescribe these medications as they see fit. Many physicians are more than willing to write a prescription based on the complaints of a patient rather than finding other treatment options or the root of the problem. Drugs manufactures have had to come up with new and innovative ways to market these drugs to healthcare providers and the public as well. As society changes so will the way drugs are marketed, prescribed and taken. Demand for prescription drugs will continue to increase as well as the overall cost. Consumers today demand more flexibility in acquiring prescription medications rather than using the traditional drug stores. Patients are swamped by pharmaceutical ads and physicians are repeatedly proliferated with drug prescribing information from pharmaceuticals representatives. Getzen and Allen (2007) states, “the average American fills 11 prescriptions per year. Pharmaceuticals were a...
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...| The Addiction of America | The Abuse of Prescription Drugs in the United States | Sean Barnes | Western Governors University | 12/19/2014 | The abuse of prescription drugs in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and continues to get worse. Most people, however, do not realize how big the problem really is. It continues to get worse every year and it demands our attention. In 2011, just three short years ago, an estimated 52 million people in the United States over the age of 12 had used prescription drugs for a non-medical reason (National survey on drug use, 2011). The most commonly abused prescription drugs are pain relievers. Why are people abusing these drugs and where do they get them? This paper will attempt to answer those questions as well as pose a possible solution on how it can be corrected. Analyzing the Problem To begin, we must first take a look at why so many American citizens are abusing prescription drugs. Most will probably tell us that they became addicted to pain relievers after some sort of horrible accident or surgery. They were prescribed these medications by their Primary Care Provider and told to take them in the correct manner, which are usually one or two tablets/pills every four to six hours apart, as needed for pain. What they were probably not told by their Primary Care Provider is that they should not take them sooner than directed, nor should they take them whenever they are not experiencing pain. The directions on...
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...The Rise in Prescription Drug Abuse By: Laurie Mahaffey What is prescription drug abuse and who are the ones affected by it? Is it just young adults that are affected by prescription drug abuse or does this affect all generations? What are some of the prescription drugs that categorize this concern? What are the consequences of prescription drug abuse? What are some solutions to this problem? These questions concerning the rise in prescription drug abuse will be addressed in the following paragraphs. What is prescription drug abuse? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription drug Abuse is defined as the “intentional use” of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than described; or for the experience or feeling it causes. This means that there are three circumstances that pertain to abuse of prescription drug abuse. First, let’s look at “intentional use” without a prescription. It is a federal offense to give or sell prescription medication to someone other than who it is prescribed to. Reading the side label tells you, that “FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS THE TRANSFER OF THIS DRUG TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE PATIENT FOR WHOM IT WAS PRESCRIBED.” One reason shown for taking someone else’s prescription was “if a Dr. prescribes, than naturally safe.” This reason is also true in why some people hand out their own medication. If it’s okay for them, it won’t hurt someone else. Second reason for what defines abuse, using in a way other than...
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...Prescription Drug Abuse: The New Drug of Choice Tanya Butler COM/172 Elements of University Composition and Communication II March 29, 2012 Betty Taylor-Thompson Ph.D. Prescription Drug Abuse: The New Drug of Choice “In 2010, approximately 16 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons in the past year; seven million in the past month” (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2002, p. 1). “Nonmedical use of a prescribed medicine is use by someone who does not have a prescription for the medication, or use of the prescribed medicine by someone who does not have a prescription in a manner that is not directed or approved by the prescribing physician” (DuPont, 2006, p. 1). The misuse of prescription medication is an expanding health problem in the United States today. An individual taking her own medication exactly as prescribed is not misuse, but giving one pill to a friend or loved one is prescription abuse. In fact, it is against the law. Most people overlook the fine print at the top (or bottom) of the prescription label that clearly states: “Caution: Federal law prohibits transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.” Then again, some people are very aware of the fine print but choose to ignore it. Many people believe that because the prescription is written by their doctor, it is safe. This is not the case! Prescription narcotics are just as dangerous as illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin...
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...T ION DRUG A BUSE CR I SI S 2 011 Background Prescription drug abuse is the Nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically.1 The same survey found that over 70 percent of people who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives, while approximately 5 percent got them from a drug dealer or from the Internet.2 Additionally, the latest Monitoring the Future study—the Nation’s largest survey of drug use among young people—showed that prescription drugs are the second most-abused category of drugs after marijuana.3 In our military, illicit drug use increased from 5 percent to 12 percent among active duty service members over a three-year period from 2005 to 2008, primarily attributed to prescription drug abuse.4 Although a number of classes of prescription drugs are currently being abused, this action plan primarily focuses on the growing and often deadly problem of prescription opioid abuse. The number of prescrip tions filled for opioid pain relievers—some of the most powerful medications available—has increased dramatically in recent years. From 1997 to 2007, the milligram per person use of prescription opioids in the U.S. increased from 74 milligrams to 369 milligrams...
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...Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse Tactical Plan Key Health Communication Messages: Abuse and misuse of prescription drugs can be dangerous and deadly. Many people think prescription drugs are not as dangerous as other illegal drugs. This is false, prescription drugs are just as dangerous as any other illicit drug when misused and or abused. This can lead to addiction, overdoses and death. Mixing prescription medication with other drugs or alcohol can lead to permanent health problems, including organ and cardiovascular problems. It is illegal to share your prescription medication with someone or to have someone else’s prescription regardless of the reason. You can be convicted of illegal drug possession and or illegal drug distribution. The law is very clear on prescription medication. The only one that can use or carry the medication is the person it is prescribed to or their licensed medical caregiver. Prescription drug abuse and misuse negatively affects students grades and can jeopardize their futures. Abusing or misusing stimulants or other prescribed medication to help academically does not work. In fact it has proven to negatively affect grades as well as a danger to your health . Identify the signs of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Know where to seek help for yourself and others. If you or someone you know shows signs of prescription drug abuse or misuse seek help immediately before it gets worse. If you suspect someone has a problem...
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...stands to reason that prescription drug abuse within the elderly presents a much higher risk than prescription drug abuse among younger generations. Ignoring this problem leads to a diminished quality of life and a less attentive healthcare system. Sadly, prescription drug abuse is a silent epidemic among the elderly population and it is a growing problem. With proper attention and diagnosis, there can be a reduction in injuries, such as hip fractures from falling, excessive hospitalizations, and even untimely death. Prescription drug abuse is overlooked by our healthcare professionals every day. Elderly patients are prescribed more medications than younger...
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...The Reforming of Health Care as it Pertains to Prescription Drugs in the United States HCS/440 08/05/2013 Professor Michele Burka, MBA The Reforming of Health Care as it Pertains to Prescription Drugs in the United States The Problem America stands on the precipice of a new health epidemic; prescription drugs are the new face of concern for the average American citizen.; cost, shortages, and abuse can often be found on any given day in print, online, or more commonly, social networking sites. As technology continues to advance, so too does the ability to procure medications for 90% of what the body needs to maintain optimal health. In addition to this, agenda pushing doctors, contractual obligations to pharmaceutical manufacturers, and drug reps have created a health care atmosphere where it is almost impossible to walk into a physician’s office for an annual health screening without leaving with a handful of questionable ‘needed’ prescriptions. Doctors are prescribing more medications than ever before seen. This is in fact creating more prescription related abuse. With this new availability comes the responsibility of ensuring those receiving are adequately informed of consequences, and potential addiction issues. All too often, a consumer seeks advice from a healthcare provider and does not self-educate on the medication received. Yes, medical staff, especially the prescribing individual has a personal and professional responsibility to the consumer to inform...
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...As one prescription drug abuser in his early 20’s explained: Once people (pill brokers) know you take them prescription opioids, they’ll start calling you. “Oh, it’s this time of the month.” Then they wait for that person to get their script. They know exactly in their head what day the script’s getting ready to come so they got the patterns down. Pill brokers and dealers reported congregating in open air drug markets typically strip mall and pharmacy parking lots, and outside methadone clinics to buy, sell, and trade prescription drugs. These markets were reported to involve a variety of transactions, including the purchase of prescription drugs for cash, as well as trades for crack and heroin. Pill brokers also reported the purchase of used fentanyl patches from nurses who have stolen them from pain patients or from disposal containers in hospitals. Some individuals frequenting the drug markets also barter their oxycodone for other opioids or benzodiazepines, typically alprazolam. Doctor Shopping focus group participants indicated that even in a small state like Delaware, doctor shopping appeared to be fairly easy. The vast majority of abusers reported obtaining medications through doctor shopping, and most reported frequenting at least four physicians in order to obtain sufficient amounts of their desired medications. Occasionally clinics and hospital emergency rooms were reported as locations for doctor shopping as well. A heavy user stated: Another focus group member...
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...No one can deny that the problem of prescription drug addiction is at its worst today than ever before, causing countless cases of dependency and abuse at epidemic proportions, and gaining the reputation of being the "silent epidemic" in some major cities in America. Prescription drug addiction is also known as the "silent killer," and rightfully so, because it can take one innocent pill, or the wrong dosage, to place its user into a permanent sleep-an all-too familiar event known as fatally "overdosing." From suburban neighborhoods, to celebrity life, to the ghettos-prescription drug abuse seems to have no bounds in our society, affecting millions everyday. But how wide-spread is this kind of abuse, and how serious is it? In 2010 alone, it was reported that an estimated 7 million America citizens claimed to be abusing prescription medications. Granted, this is only a little less than 3% of the total US population, but the jolting fact comes from the amount of increasing deaths from prescription medication abuse. It's one thing for large populations to abuse drugs, true; but it's another thing to lose lives rapidly over such a short period of time. As stated earlier, the strength of prescription drugs can be so overwhelming that it may take one instance, or one miscalculating dose, to result in a deadly overdose. In other words,...
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...a growing epidemic occurring affecting all genders, races and socio-economical groups, which is the abuse of prescription pain medication and heroin. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of overdose deaths due to prescription pain medication has quadrupled from 1999 to 2013, with more than 16,000 deaths in 2013 alone (The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 2015). Also disturbing are the statistics for heroin overdose, which have increased 286 percent from 2002 to 2013, with the rate of addiction doubling as well (Cook, 2015). The abuse of heroin and prescription pain medications are tied together since individuals abusing pain medication are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin and half of those addicted to heroin are also addicted to pain medication (Cook, 2015). As this epidemic of drug abuse continues to grow and affect communities across the United States, it becomes apparent that federal and local government bodies need to become involved. One such way is the introduction and passing of new legislation to help cope and deal with the growing issues at hand. On June 17, 2015, one such bill was introduced to a congressional committee, H.R. 2805: Heroin and Prescription Opioid Abuse Prevention, Education, and Enforcement Act of 2015 (S. H.R. 2805, 2015). H.R. 2805 is a bill, which addresses prescription opioid abuse and heroin use, and methods of managing such issues through the development of best prescribing practices...
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...million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons in the past year; seven million in the past month” (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2002, p. 1). “Nonmedical use of a prescribed medicine is use by someone who does not have a prescription for the medication, or use of the prescribed medicine by someone who does not have a prescription in a manner that is not directed or approved by the prescribing physician” (DuPont, 2006, p. 1). The misuse of prescription medication is an expanding health problem in the United States today. An individual taking her own medication exactly as prescribed is not misuse, but giving one pill to a friend or loved one is prescription abuse. In fact, it is against the law. Most people overlook the fine print at the top (or bottom) of the prescription label that clearly states: “Caution: Federal law prohibits transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.” Then again, some people are very aware of the fine print but choose to ignore it. Many people believe that because the prescription is written by their doctor, it is safe. This is not the case! Prescription narcotics are just as dangerous as illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, if not used correctly. “There were approximately 6,000 deaths from accidental overdosing in 1990, but that figure has almost quintupled as of 2007, reaching 27,658” (Kluger, 2010, Abstract). Although prescription drugs are necessary to treat certain...
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...Prescription Drugs In this society, most Americans use some type of prescription drug. According to this week chapter reading: “More than 80 % of U.S. adults use some form of medication, with 50 % taking a drug prescribed by a doctor. The average American fills 11 prescriptions per year spending approximately $ 771 annually (Gentzen, p. 245, 2007).” This is a true statement because I am one of those Americans who depend on prescription drugs. I have a seizure disorder that doctors have not found what cause me to have seizure. Without medication, I can have a seizure. So now I have become what society has called “addicted” to prescription drugs, when I go too long without medication, I can have a seizure at any given time. So I am glad that my team has chosen this topic to discuss. We talk about The History of Prescription Drugs, Drugs Addicts, and The steps that we believe that could be used to make a change to the present system. Prescription drugs are medicine regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. The term prescription drug is used separate from over-the-counter drugs that can be purchased without a prescription. In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act determines what requires a prescription. When obtaining a prescription, a person will also receive a pamphlet explaining the drug and helpful information about the effect of the drug and how it affects the body. It also describes side effects...
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...Prescription drug abuse has been a growing problem in society over the past few years. These drugs are so widely available, easy to get, and they have increased in popularity. The potential for abuse is very high with prescriptions narcotics and they have attracted a variety of age groups. Doctors will often prescribe these medications to individuals based on their claims they are in pain. While there are people who desperately need these drugs, a fraction of people who obtain them will either resale them, abuse them, or use them to get others addicted. While there has been legislation passed to fight this problem, it is just not enough. As long as a person has a valid prescription they can use the drugs as they see fit, while law enforcement officers are powerless to act. Not only has the use of prescription medication been a growing trend in society, but is has attracted a much younger age group. Observations by school officials and police officers have witnessed a growing number of school age children experimenting with prescription drugs. According to Robert DuPont, “an ongoing problem is the use of prescription drugs among younger people. Studies conducted in 2008 indicated that 4.7% of high school seniors used OxyContin, 9.7% have used Vicodin, 5.8% used sedatives, 6.2% used tranquilizers, and 2.4% have used Ritalin” (DuPont, 2010 pp. 128). Children can obtain these prescription drugs from their parents without their knowledge and develop a substance abuse problem. ...
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