Posts Tagged abusing prescription drugs

North Carolina Sheriffs Asking for Access to Prescription Database

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on September 10th, 2010

A feature on the News Observer shared a request from North Carolina sheriffs, as they try to find ways to curb prescription drug abuse in the state.

The North Carolina sheriff’s association asked on Tuesday that they be given access to state computer records that contains information on patients who have prescriptions for controlled substances, including powerful painkillers. The database is currently being used mainly by doctors and pharmacists, in an effort to catch patients who may be doctor-shopping for prescription drugs, and in order to prevent pharmacists from filling too many prescriptions for any single patient.

prescription drugsAccording to the state Department of Health and Human Services, around 30 percent of North Carolina residents received at least one prescription for such controlled substances as Ambien and Oxycontin in the first half of 2010. Almost 2.5 million patients filled prescriptions that reached 375 million doses in the same time frame. The database that the sheriff’s association is trying to gain access to contains 53.5 million prescriptions.

The request for access was made by the state sheriffs before the legislative health care committee in an effort to find more ways to curb prescription drug abuse. Lee County Sheriff Tracy L. Carter said that making the database available to them will enable them to “better go after those who are abusing the system.”

There are patient advocates, however, who are not sold on the idea, mainly due to privacy concerns. A compromise was presented by William Bronson of the drug control unit of the DHHS, who suggested that information may be requested for by drug investigators for ongoing investigations; they will not, however, be allowed to access the database by themselves.

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FDA on Reducing Use of Prescription Painkillers

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on July 26th, 2010

The proposal of the Food and Drug Administration that aims to reduce the abuse and misuse of pain medication such as OxyContin has been rejected by an advisory committee, according to a feature on The New York Times.

prescription pillsThe committee voted 25 to 10 against the plan. This advisory panel included doctors and pain experts, and one of the reasons for the rejection was that the panel felt that the plan lacked a stipulation requiring doctors to undergo training on the appropriate use of prescription narcotics. This rendered the plan as weak in terms of controlling the use of such drugs.

Drugs such as OxyContin, fentanyl and methadone are considered as important in pain management; however, these are the same drugs involved prescription drug abuse, and have also been linked to deaths due to overdose. It is for this reason that the FDA, as well as the drug industry, worked together to draw up a plan to reduce the misuse and abuse of these medications.

Dr. John K. Jenkins, director of the office of new drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, shared that the concern of the advisory panel lay in the “voluntary nature of the training requirements” for doctors.

It was said that the FDA had initially planned on stipulating mandatory training for those who intend to prescribe the drugs. The agency, however, was concerned about the fact that they only had the authority to require drug manufacturers to provide training. Another concern for the agency was that some doctors may choose to simply stop prescribing the drugs if they find mandatory trainings too tedious, thereby limiting the options of patients who may need them.

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Prescription Drug Mixing: Dangerous, Deadly

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on May 3rd, 2010

In parties, we love mixing drinks to come up with unique tasting alcoholic cocktails. Bloody Mary mixes vodka, tomato juice, worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce and lemon juice. Margarita blends in tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. The very popular Martini takes in gin and vermouth to give a smooth mixture.

prescription drugsCreating mixes, though, should not be extended to the intake of prescription drugs. You may have noticed that your doctor asks you about other medications you may be currently taking before he prescribes you a certain medicine. Mixing prescription drugs, unlike mixing alcohol, is very dangerous and can be fatal.

When taken separately, the drugs work to your advantage, relieving you of any pain or symptom that you may be suffering from. When taken together or within a short period of time, the drugs may intensify or counteract the action of the other, or the combination may bring a different set of effects. Thousands of deaths related to the accidental overdose or mixing of prescription drugs are reported every year, and many are still at risk.

To avoid prescription drug mixing, create your own medication list that covers all drugs you take in, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Always inform your doctor about the medications you are having so he can prescribe the right medicine. Update the list regularly and make sure you separate the old drugs from the new ones. Do not take old medications when you feel old symptoms coming back without telling your doctor first.

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Prescription Drugs Abused by Teens

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on March 10th, 2010

Teen prescription drug abusers, or what they call ‘Generation Rx’, are a growing in number. Drugs that are usually obtained only with a proper medical presciption are being abused by children as young as 12 years old. Here are some common prescription drugs that are abused by the youth:

prescription drugsStimulants

These drugs are prescribed for patients who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), asthma, obesity and narcolepsy. The drugs function to counteract feelings of weakness usually caused by fatigue, stress or alcohol. These drugs enhance concentration, alertness and energy and are often mixed with alcohol, which makes it even more dangerous. Teens usually abuse these drugs during activities that may need an extra push, like long examinations or competitive games. Examples of stimulants are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Concerta.

Painkillers

Painkillers can be either opium or morphine (narcotic) derivatives. These are prescribed to those suffering from chronic pain. Marijuana is also known to be prescribed to those who are dealing with cancer, which is medically proven to help administer pain. Vicodin is one of those painkiller drugs which are very potent and addictive. Among the listed drugs that are addictive are: Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Opium, Morphine and Fentanyl.

Depressants

These drugs are usually prescribed to patients who suffer from tension, sleep disorders and panic attacks. Depending on the dose, depressants act as a form of anaesthetic. These are usually called sedatives or tranquilizers, whose primary function is to slow down brain activity. Common prescribed depressants are Valium, Klonopin, Soma, Xanax and Ambien.

Unfortunately, while you should need a medical prescription to obtain these drugs, teens can easily access them online without presenting anything from the doctor. There are also people actually peddling prescription drugs in some universities.

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Prescription Drug Abuse: The Danger of Easy Access to Supply

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on November 10th, 2009

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go to the streets to buy drugs. Some of the drugs that can cause addiction are readily available at your local pharmacy. But the fact that it is sold legally does not change the reality that these drugs can also damage your body if taken in unchecked doses. Taking drugs such as valium, decongestants, and even cough syrup is dangerous in high doses, which makes the task of understanding the nature of prescription drug abuse a lot more important.

Prescription Drug AbuseWhile street drugs such as marijuana, meth, and cocaine have immediate extreme effects on the body, prescription drugs are relatively milder, but this does not mean that they are less dangerous. The most common abused prescription drugs include painkillers, sleeping pills, decongestants and cough syrup. All of these drugs are made to numb the senses, and can give the user an artificial sense of being free of pain and discomfort.

So why abuse prescription drugs? The reasons for this phenomenon are mainly social, a dimension of analysis that must not be overlooked when it comes to drug addiction. But whatever the user’s reasons may be, the fact of the matter remains the same — that they want to enjoy the feeling of escaping from reality, if only for a moment. The perception that using drugs to simulate this feeling may seem foolish at first, but then again, it shows how desperate the person can get out from the unpleasant experiences that life can bring them.

While the thought of them being legal gives people some degree of comfort when using them, prescription drugs can still be as dangerous as street drugs if taken in high quantities. The cycle of addiction would still apply to both kinds of drugs, where you may be trapped in it and find yourself unable to get out because of the sense of uncontrollable dependence on the drug.

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Addiction to Prescription Drugs is on the rise

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Prescription Drug Abuse on July 20th, 2009

The untimely death of pop star Michael Jackson has once again raised the question “Are prescription drugs beneficial or harmful for health?” I believe that a majority of people will speak for the motion. But a few, like me who have had the opportunity to know the reality, will speak against it. Yes, addiction to prescription drugs is scaling up.

Such drugs are definitely useful when used as directed by the physician. But often they are misused – taken in larger doses.

A survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2007 has shown that around 15% of the US high school students abuse prescription drugs. Addiction to such drugs is prevalent mostly among young adults between 18 – 25 years who are unaware of the inherent danger.

The causes are easy availability and a common belief that such drugs are not harmful since they have been prescribed by doctors. “A safe way to get the high” said a senior student.

3 groups of prescribed drugs are generally abused –

• Opioids prescribed for relieving pain e.g. Morphine like Kodian and Avinza, Oxycodone like OxyContin and Percocet.

• Central Nervous System depressants that are used for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, e.g., Barbiturates like Mebaral and Nembutal, Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax.

• Stimulants that are prescribed to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), obesity, narcolepsy e.g. Detroamphetamine like Dexedrine and Adderall, Methylphenidate like Ritalin and Concerta.

So please be aware of prescribed drugs. Keep in mind the fine line that differentiates between using and abusing such drugs. Remember they are as dangerous as illegal drugs like brown sugar since they are highly addictive and dangerous. Consult a doctor immediately if you feel that someone in your family is abusing prescription drugs.

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