reachout
02-05-2008, 01:08 PM
Hi Guys
I was just reading a national magazine and an article really caught my attention. It concerned a report from the Center for Disease control and Prevention after completeing a study....
The results of the study indicate that more of us, as Americans, have been dying since 1999 from prescription drug abuse than street drug abuse. We are dying from abusing painkillers, sleeping pills and antidepressants tahn we are from cocaine and heroin.
Geeze, I knew it was a problem ( finger pointed at self here), but the magnitude of it did make my eyes pop open wide and my jaw fall slack. Maybe we have been so busy going after the street addicts that we have ignored those of us who abuse in the luxury of our homes. I don't feel any difference between myself and the guy using on the street except that I was able to maintain a legal supply and looked legitimate on the surface.
It is good that the court system has mandated drug rehab programs for those that het caught on the streets. However, I am thinking that as a country, we better start thinking about free programs for those of us who "legitimately abuse" and need help.
I had many things in place to help me.... insurance, resources, an address. What about those with no insurance, no support? I know this has been a problem for some on this board. To read now, though, the death rate and statistics has just really brought it to the forefront of my mind.
If you are a "legitimate abuser" as I was, please, please take a long and hard look at your prescription use. It truly can be an ultimate difference between life and death.
reach
I was just reading a national magazine and an article really caught my attention. It concerned a report from the Center for Disease control and Prevention after completeing a study....
The results of the study indicate that more of us, as Americans, have been dying since 1999 from prescription drug abuse than street drug abuse. We are dying from abusing painkillers, sleeping pills and antidepressants tahn we are from cocaine and heroin.
Geeze, I knew it was a problem ( finger pointed at self here), but the magnitude of it did make my eyes pop open wide and my jaw fall slack. Maybe we have been so busy going after the street addicts that we have ignored those of us who abuse in the luxury of our homes. I don't feel any difference between myself and the guy using on the street except that I was able to maintain a legal supply and looked legitimate on the surface.
It is good that the court system has mandated drug rehab programs for those that het caught on the streets. However, I am thinking that as a country, we better start thinking about free programs for those of us who "legitimately abuse" and need help.
I had many things in place to help me.... insurance, resources, an address. What about those with no insurance, no support? I know this has been a problem for some on this board. To read now, though, the death rate and statistics has just really brought it to the forefront of my mind.
If you are a "legitimate abuser" as I was, please, please take a long and hard look at your prescription use. It truly can be an ultimate difference between life and death.
reach