PRESCRIPTION DRUGSBy Nydia Quiros

HE 285 OL Drugs & Society

Worcester State University

• “It's not hard for teens to come by prescription drugs, according to Sgt. Tracy Busby, supervisor of the Calaveras County, Calif., Sheriff's Office

narcotics unit. You go to every medicine cabinet in the county, and I bet you're going to find some sort of prescription medicine in 95 percent of

them," he said.”

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

• “Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011)

TYPES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BEING USED

• 1. Depressants• Barbiturates (yellows, reds, tooies) • Benzodiazepines ( valium, Xanax, candy) • Sleeping Medications ( Ambien, Roofies, Lunesta)

• 2. Opioids/ Morphine Derivatives • Codeine ( Captain Cody, Schoolboy, Pancakes & syrup) • Morphine ( Miss Emma, Monkey, White Stuff)• Methadone ( Fizzies, Amidone, Chocolate chip cookies)

• 3. Stimulants• Amphetamines ( Adderall, Black beauties, Uppers) • Methylphenidate ( Ritalin, Skippy, The smart drug)

• 4. Cough/ Cold Medications • Dextromethorphan (DXM) ( none prescribed over the counter cough medicine) • Promethazine-codeine cough syrup ( prescribed cough medicine)

• 5. Anti depressants • Psychiatric drugs that are used for depression (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft)

EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 1. Depressants:

• Sedation• Drowsiness• Relief of anxiety• Lowers inhibitions

2. Stimulants • Mental alertness• Excitement• Increased energy

3. Opioids • Pain relief • Sweating • Confusion• Weakness• Euphoria

4. Cough/ Cold Medications• Euphoria • Slurred speech

REASONS TO WHY PEOPLE THINK IT’S OK TO TAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• Doctors prescribe it

• Pain caused accidental/ none-accidental

• We create illnesses/ problems

• Advertising of new diseases in the media

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS • Decreased self-esteem

• Rapid breathing• Anxiety

• Runny nose• Yawning

• Decreased self-confidence• Shakes and tremors

• Sweating• Bone and muscle pain

• Insomnia• Salivation• Irritability

• Vomiting and nausea• Racing thoughts• Depression

• Loss of appetite • Dilated pupils• Diarrhea• Seizures

STATS BASED ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

• USA = 5% of total population in the world where 50% of US population use pharmaceuticals in which 80% are known as narcotics

• 2.4 million Americans use prescription drugs non-medically for the first time

• Kids ages 12-17 about 2500 a day try prescription drugs for the first time

• 2010 was 8.76 million. Most abused prescription drugs fall under 3 categories: 5

• Painkillers: 5.1 million : Tranquilizers: 2.2 million: Stimulants: 1.1 million

• Enough painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult every four hours for a month

• 106,000 Americans die from prescription drug abuse

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Are Americans more infatuated with the idea of prescription drugs, rather than

the actual drugs themselves?

MY OPINION• In my opinion, ever since the development of prescription drugs people were conned

into believing prescription drugs performed miracles. The advertisements created to try and sell these drugs made it fit to everyone's desire to a quick solution to their pain and emotions. America is the only continent in which advertises prescription drugs to the public, and I believe the fault in this is what causes for people to think they have illnesses they really don’t have just because they acquire some of the symptoms listed when marketed. Another issue that has made it harder for American to stay away from prescription drug abuse is due to the fact that doctors are the one prescribing them to you when you feel any sort of pain or illness. Therefore Americans think; if a doctor gives it you it’s harmless. People have become unaware of the issues prescription drugs bring to ones health, they start becoming dependent on these substances instead of curing their pain or illness its only creating a new one. The addiction to the drug itself. It’s the idea that a pill can cure all of our harms, complications, glitches, troubles and evils away is why we become so infatuated by them.

REFERENCES

National Institute of Drug Abuse ([field_revisiondate_1]). Prescription Drugs & Cold Medicines Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/prescription-drugs-cold-medicines on September 15, 2014

Prescription Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What is prescription drug abuse?. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/what-prescription-drug-abuse

Who We Are - Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (n.d.). Who We Are - Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/about-us/about-the-foundation.html

Prescription Drug Abuse Side Effects, Addiction Signs & Symptoms. (n.d.). Prescription Drug Abuse Signs, Symptoms & Withdrawal Effects. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.deltamedcenter.com/addiction/prescription-drugs/effects-symptoms-signs

American Addict the movie. (n.d.). <i>American Addict the movie</i>. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://www.americanaddictthemovie.com/

Lytton, C. (n.d.). Prescription Drugs More Deadly Than Car Accidents, Guns, and Suicide. The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/25/prescriptions-drugs-more-deadly-than-car-accidents-guns-and-suicide.html

Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction Signs, Effects & Symptoms. (n.d.). Prescription Drug Abuse & Addiction Withdrawals, Signs, Symptoms & Effects. Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.acadianaaddiction.com/prescription-drugs/symptoms-signs-effects#Withdrawal-Symptoms