Drug Abuse
Drug abuse comes in many forms and challenges many of the
pre conceived notions regarding who drug abusers are. Drug
abuse does not just occur in dark alleys of dangerous neighborhoods,
but at schools, in suburban neighborhoods and by people you
may never suspect. Not restricted exclusively to illegal
drugs, drug abuse can occur by taking more than the recommend
dosages of prescribed medications or taking legal medication
in an attempt to get “high” rather than for their
designed purpose. Prescribed pain killers make up a very
large portion of drug abuse and the addiction can be crippling.
Many people who undergo painful injuries or surgeries are
placed on prescribed pain killers to help ease pain during
recovery. However, due to the addictive substances contained
within these medications, even recommended usage under the
care of a doctor may eventually lead to drug abuse. It is
crucial to the health of our society that we give these drug
dependent individuals the same care and attention that illicit
drug users receive.
Drug abuse is also starting to take many forms in the substances being used to
obtain a high. Household cleaners and solvents are being inhaled or “huffed” by
school age children and are starting a dangerous new trend in drug abuse. Many
times, these household formulas come in aerosol form and when inhaled cause a
high which includes giddiness, dizziness, and hallucinations. This form of drug
abuse is increasingly hard to detect and prevent with the wide array of households
solvents being used.
Another common household item which is currently responsible for a new epidemic
of drug abuse is cough and cold medicine. These common household remedies are
being taken in large doses or being used in the manufacturing of illicit street
drug to such an extent that many drugstores are taking measures to prevent this
type of drug abuse. These over-the-counter medications are now being kept behind
the pharmacy counter with proof of age required to purchase. Even with proof
of legal age, limits to the quantity which can be purchased are put into place.
Drug abuse remains a serious global problem, is on the rise in the Unites States,
and continues to evolve into newer, more dangerous and harder to detect forms.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article.
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