Dexter Daily Statesman

A hard "Pill" to swallow

Posted Monday, January 7, 2008, at 11:02 AM
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Let's stop the madness.

I have written several stories in the past few weeks involving the high rise in prescription drug abuse. I don't mean to harp on the subject, but I want everyone to realize what a dire situation this is.

When more people are dying from abusing prescription drugs than any other illegal substance in our area, we should be worried. When our children are buying pills at school with no knowledge of what they are or what the side effects are, we should be more than worried. We should be working on finding a way to stop the madness.

Parents, don't just talk to your kids about illegal substances like marijuana, alcohol or cocaine. Tell them that one too many pills will kill them. It will simply make their heart stop beating or leave them in a coma with little or no chance of having a productive life. Let's not just turn a blind eye because they "could be doing something worse." I believe it is the Drug Free America group that has an advertisement with two young men laying on a slab in a morgue. One took an illegal substance like cocaine, while the other took an overdose of a prescription drug. The caption underneath reads, "Which one is more dead?"

That is what we need to understand. These prescription drugs are killing people, youth and adult alike. Many adults and children are becoming addicted to these drugs just like they would cocaine. So, let's not minimize the risk factor here.

It's not okay to let a family member, no matter what the age, abuse prescription drugs. Do whatever it takes -- a family intervention, a forced rehabilitation program or even turning them into authorities -- to make sure that your loved one or friend gets help before it is too late.

It's time for us to take back control. The only way to do that is to stop turning a blind eye to the problem and the rising number of deaths. I believe that we are the only ones who can help stop this problem in it's tracks!

Comments
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Who could have said that any better. You are right on with this!! It is very scary to have small kids and to worry what they are going to have to be exposed to.

Good Job!

-- Posted by blessed on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 2:09 PM

AMEN!

-- Posted by sweet on Mon, Jan 7, 2008, at 5:46 PM

I think you are right on about teaching your kids about these dangers.

this is truly a parent or family responsibility. You can't harp on or worry about what your kids are exposed to. I was exposed to many thing in my young life and even now. That doesn't mean that because I seen it I had to do it. You have to hope that you can take care of your own and make sure they understand the dangers.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:32 AM

I.B.Le Truth....you are right it is the responsiblity of the parents to teach kids right, but really......good kids that have been taught right from wrong since birth......fall to the temptations everyday. To think that only terrible people do terrible things is unrealistic.

I think it IS the responsibility of the parents, but I think there is a bigger issue here.....I think Doctor's hand out these pills to easily.

I really don't know what the answer is, just pray for the best.

-- Posted by blessed on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:54 AM

I still can't find a way to blame Doctors for this unless a Doctor or thousands of Doctors are telling the people they prescribe them to that they should sell of give the drugs away. I am not even convinced that these drugs are actually prescribed drugs. They may be prescription medications but that doesn't mean they are coming from a drug store or a Doctors prescription. This could be happening in other ways.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Tue, Jan 8, 2008, at 8:54 PM

I do not think that is the only way to get Prescription Drugs. It is not only the Doctor's....There is probably a million ways to get prescription drugs illegally....I am glad I am not really "up" on the best ways to do it.....People use multiple doctors and get what they need. That is one way I guess I should have said.... I really don't think a doctor has to tell someone to sell it or give it away. (as you say in your comment).

I think we are all on the same page that is the main point, regardless of what all is posted on here. This is a problem in our community. I hope every parent does educate their child, and hope they make the right decisions.

Have a good day!

-- Posted by blessed on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 8:33 AM

You are right blessed. We all understand there is a problem, I just happen to think we are blaming the wrong people.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 10:11 AM

I blame those that abuse it, that stand on the street corners and prey on kids, those that sell their meds to make money instead of working a normal job, but I think what I said before is true also...there is LOTS of factors in this problem, however, to fix any problem you have to battle each part one by one.

-- Posted by blessed on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 11:31 AM

I was re-reading all of the postings on this one. I wanted to add one more thing.

I.B.Le Truth...I may have missed what you were trying to say. I know that every child in our community doesn't have parents that take the time to inform them about the dangers out there. Some don't have parents at all. Sometimes, we forget about that...I make sure mine knows what to do, but not everyone has parents in there life to guide them. I wasn't trying to exclude parents from the blame, I just think it is a problem that is spinning out of control. I think that kids need to be informed from parents, their church family, their schools....It will have to be a united fight to make a difference. :)

-- Posted by blessed on Wed, Jan 9, 2008, at 12:48 PM