| Is America playing into the hands of big pharma? | | | | resort and that taking them otherwise is undesirable. |
| According to the latest statistics from the Substance | | | | They should also be taught about prescription drug |
| Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | | | | addiction in no uncertain terms, and be made aware |
| (SAMHSA), prescription drugs have officially become | | | | of their dangers. |
| the drugs of choice among America's youth. Why has | | | | Parents should pay more attention to their kids' lives. |
| prescription drug addiction and abuse become such a | | | | It's been proven that kids whose parents talk to |
| problem? And what can you do about it? | | | | them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol are |
| Drug abuse will always be a problem. Even if we lived | | | | 50% less likely to use them. Research has also |
| in a Utopia, which we definitely don't, some people | | | | shown than kids whose parents participate in their |
| would be unhappy or stressed about life and would | | | | lives - their school, their sports, their interests - are |
| want to escape. However, drugs would be much less | | | | less likely to get involved in drugs. Also, eating dinner |
| of a problem if we made the following changes. | | | | together a few times a week is pivotal. Believe it or |
| Direct to consumer advertising is one of the first | | | | not, that alone could stop your kids from taking |
| things that has to go. Drug ads on TV and in | | | | drugs. Prescription drug addiction and abuse is |
| magazines promote the use of drugs, that's the long | | | | rampant with young people and, sooner or later, your |
| and short of it. And because it appears to be | | | | kid is going to be offered some. Having a strong |
| legitimate - you get the drugs from the doctor - you | | | | family and having been educated on the dangers of |
| go for it. If big pharma was not presenting drugs as | | | | drugs may well be the factors that govern whether |
| the answer to our problems, we would try to | | | | your kid will say yes or no. |
| address them some other way. We'd have no choice; | | | | Prescription drug addiction is a greater problem than |
| since we wouldn't be fed the solution, we'd have to | | | | street drugs ever were. They are socially acceptable, |
| come up with alternatives. Instead, we go for the | | | | are easily accessed just by going to the household |
| easier, and very acceptable solution of taking a drug, | | | | medicine cabinet - if not yours, certainly your |
| and many wind up with a prescription drug addiction | | | | neighbor's - and they come from a doctor (doctors |
| problem in the process. | | | | don't hurt people, right?). These factors have |
| For those who do have to take drugs to make life | | | | contributed to make prescription drugs the drugs of |
| bearable - those suffering from chronic debilitating | | | | choice, and millions are risking prescription drug |
| pain that has not resolved with other treatment, for | | | | addiction because of them. |
| example - make sure your drugs are kept out of the | | | | If someone you care about has a problem with |
| reach of others. They should be locked up, and the | | | | prescription drug addiction or abuse, get them into a |
| key should be on you at all times. You should also | | | | drug addiction treatment center as soon as possible. |
| explain your situation to your kids so they know | | | | Of all the drugs they could take, these are among |
| exactly why you're taking them, and you should also | | | | the most dangerous - contrary to what big pharma |
| make sure they understand the drugs are a last | | | | would have you believe. |