The CDC states that more Americans now
DIE FROM BY SHERYL MADDOX, PSYCHEMEDICS CORPORATION
ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Te CDC also states that more Americans now die from painkillers than from heroin and cocaine combined, and prescription drug-induced deaths are higher than those from automo- bile accidents. Te landscape of America’s drug prob-
P
lem has changed, and familiar street drugs are being replaced by the nonmedical use of prescription drugs—an issue that affects businesses, industries and schools globally. Te class of narcotic pain relievers,
known as opioids, is largely contributing to the prescription drug abuse epidemic, apparent by the fact that the use of these powerful medications has increased by a staggering 380 percent1
in only 10 years!
What Are Opioids and How Do They Work? Opioids, also called narcotics, are drugs that alleviate pain, depress body functions and reactions, and, when taken in large doses, cause a strong euphoric feeling. Tey are considered Schedule II drugs under the Controlled Substance Act because they have a strong potential for abuse or addiction. Te opioid class of narcotics includes
morphine, codeine, and heroin. Synthetic opiates are hydrocodone (VicodinR dromorphone (DilaudidR (OxycontinR (DemerolR DarvocetR
), hy- , PercodanR
), oxycodone ), meperidine
), propoxyphene (DarvonR ) and methadone.
www.datia.org ,
rescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest growing drug problem and is classified as an “epidemic” accord-
Common side effects include drowsiness
and mental confusion, and, depending on the dosage, depressed respiration—leading to respiratory distress and death.
An Overview of the Problem In a 2011 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it was reported that, aſter marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused substanc- es in the United States, accounting for one death every 19 minutes. In fact, enough opioid pain relievers are sold every year to medicate every adult in the United States with a typical dose of 5 mg of hydrocodone every four hours for a month2
. Tat is an
enormous amount of medication and it lines up with the statistic released from the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) stating “Americans consume 80 percent of the opiate painkillers produced in the world.” Sadly, every hour a baby is now also born in the United States with symptoms of opiate withdrawal3 Legitimate medical uses of opioids
.
typically include: (1) cases of acute, severe pain for a brief period of time and (2) end of life care. However, a recent study by the California Workers’ Compensation Insti- tute found that during the four-year period of the study, almost half of all Schedule II opioid prescriptions were for minor back injuries. Many injured workers remain on opioids long-term—nearly one in twelve in- jured workers who were prescribed narcotic painkillers were reported to still be on the drugs three to six months later4
. datia focus 39
PAINKILLERS than from heroin and cocaine combined, and prescription drug- induced deaths are higher than those from automobile accidents.
The use of opioids has increased by a
STAGGERING 380% in only 10 years!
Prescription drugs account for one
DEATH EVERY
MINUTES. 19
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