Teens are not the only ones struggling with pain killer addiction and abusing prescription medications. Just this year, this world lost an icon when Michael Jackson lost his life with a drug overdose. And just this week, in the wake of losing a great actress, Brittany Murphy, to unknown causes it seems everyone is jumping to the conclusion that she suffered from an eating disorder and prescription drug overdose. Even though the toxicology report will not come out for weeks, and there were no signs of anything other than a natural cause of death, the media is trying to justify how someone so young could die of "natural causes".
Well, according to painkiller abuse statistics:
- The U.S. is the worlds largest consumer of painkillers.
- The U.S. uses 71% of the world's oxycodone, and 99% of the world's hydrocodone, or Vicodin.
- In 2006 a survey showed 7 million people abused prescription or OTC drugs in the last 30 days.
- Between 1995 - 2002 emergency room visits related to painkillers rose 153%.
- Admission to drug treatment for prescription drug abuse rose 321% from 1995-2005.
- Deaths from painkillers rose 160% from 1999 to 2004.
IF Michael Jackson and Brittany Murphy became addicted to prescription drugs, or lost their lives due to this terrible and tragic addiction then our world has lost two MORE great people. Because these people are well known their deaths are covered in detail for weeks or months. But, according to statistics they are not alone, nor are their family and friends who are having to deal with the loss of a loved one over a terrible addiction. IF any good can come out of these tragic situations, perhaps the media coverage will help people realize that prescription drug abuse is a problem. If you or a loved one is struggling with a prescription drug abuse problem, now is the time to get help, get into a drug treatment program today, before it's too late.
