The war on drugs is a catastrophic failure. Rates of drug use are skyrocketing across the United States and the globe, with more teens becoming addicted to recreational and pharmaceutical drugs. High youth unemployment and the closure of youth centers and programs across the U.S leave young people with too much time on their hands. Many youths and adults decide to experiment with drugs as a form of escapism.
Adults with prescriptions for pharmaceutical painkillers decide to make the transition to street drugs, such as heroin, to feed their addiction to opioid medications. The expense of pharmaceuticals and a failing Medicare system means that adults cannot afford the high-price of scripted drugs and turn to black market sources to manage pain. Whatever the reason for drug use, whether it be pain management of recreational, it presents a significant health risk that can result in permanent physiological and psychological damage, and even death from overdose. Rising Levels of Opioid Addiction
As of the second quarter of 2018, opioid overdose is the leading cause of death in individuals under the age of 35. The ease of access to prescription medications creates a nation of addicts that are willing to risk their health to avoid the withdrawal from these potent substances. The frequent misuse and abuse of opioid pharmaceuticals, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, continues to escalate into the last quarter of 2018. The rates of overdose have become so high in some states, that medical professionals are running out of overdose treatment drugs, such as naloxone. Increases in Heroin Overdose
Many opioid users find that they build a tolerance to their pain management drugs. This increase in dependence on medication forces them to search for black-market sources of the drugs to feed their growing addiction to the substance. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical medications can cost users financially, with the average street price for a 10mg OxyContin tablet fetching upwards of $25. Addicts that can’t afford this escalating cost and turn to cheaper street drugs, such as heroin, to feed their habit. Unfortunately, the heroin supply does not have the same regulation as pharmaceutical medications. The potency of heroin differs from dealer to dealer. Recently, the introduction of a potent opioid, known as fentanyl, is steadily creeping into the heroin supply. A single pin-head of fentanyl is enough to induce overdose, and street dealers of heroin add the compound to their wares to increase the potency. This “cut” of fentanyl into heroin creates further overdose and death in street users. What to Do if You Think You’re Addicted
If you think that you may be addicted to drugs, or you know a friend or family member that’s addicted, there are steps you can take to cure yourself or your family members of addiction. Speak to a local health clinic near you and arrange a consultation for entry into a rehabilitation program. It takes patience and persistence to free yourself from addiction. However, it is possible to achieve a clean lifestyle if you have a good support structure to lean on while you recover.
By John Gelbestein Phd
All rights reserved. Any reproducing of this article must have the author name and all the links intact.