Prescription Drug Abuse - 2011 Words

Cultivating a Solution for the Youth of America Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic across the United States, destroying and affecting many lives of young Americans. Why do so many people abuse prescription drugs? Many think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than â€Å"street drugs.† After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of America’s youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed. It will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the†¦show more content†¦Education is the next stepping stone to the ultimate goal of prevention. According to The USA Today, 95% of unintentional poisoning deaths in the United States are drug overdoses and the number nearly dou bled from 1999 to 2004 (â€Å"A Tragic Reminder† 3). Both parents and children alike do not understand the dangers that prescription drugs may bring (Parenting of Teens 1). After the recent death of actor Heath Ledger, his father issued a statement that said, â€Å"Heaths accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage† (â€Å"A Tragic Reminder† 1). Parents need to examine all areas of the problem and be aware of the lurking dangers. If more of the population understood the true threats that lie within the medicine cabinet, then young people today would have a much brighter outlook upon the future. Their outlook would not be based on the knowledge of how to use modern medicine for the betterment of our country and not its internal destruction. Today there are many myths regarding both legal and illegal drugs. Examples of these myths include the idea that marijuana causes people to become v iolent and the idea that aspirin is safe (Corder 3). In actuality, many have died due to hemorrhages as a result of aspirin abuse (Corder 3). Myths concerning drugs encircle American society; it is important for parents to maintain communication with their children in regard toShow MoreRelatedPrescription Drug Abuse And Prescription Drugs Essay1413 Words   |  6 PagesMost people are familiar with prescription medications; almost everyone has taken them at one point or another during their lifetime. Not all prescription drugs are addicting, but a large number of them are. Prescription drug abuse is a disease that has become a major problem in the United States, which affects over six-million Americans. Prescription drug abuse not only affects the individual, but can additionally have far-reaching consequences that affect family, personal health, employmentRead MoreDrugs And Prescription Drug Abuse2022 Words   |  9 Pagesoverview of the increased use of pharmaceuticals and prescription drug abuse in the US. The section continues with the relationship between illicit drugs and prescriptions, adolescents’ abuse, personal and social factors; then concludes with the theoretical approach. The Social-Ecological Theory, will be applied in researching prescription drug abuse, possible influences and protective factors in adolescents in relation to prescription drug abuse, to develop focused intervention strategies and educationalRead MoreTeen Abuse Prescription Drug Abuse1422 Words   |  6 Pagesleading drugs used and abused by teenagers in America. 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Child abuse, animal abuse, and sexual abuse are all major types of abuse; however, prescription drug abuse is a problem that is drastically skyrocketing in today’s society. While other addictions and abuses are equally signif icant, it is imperative that people put a stop to prescription drug abuse using twoRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse Among Adolescents1628 Words   |  7 PagesNursing Informatics Quality Improvement Prescription Drug Abuse Among Adolescents Have you ever heard these words –hillbilly H, a-minus, red birds, Vitamin R, and roses? There is no question that we have heard some of these words. Yet, what is unexpected is they are all code words used by teens for prescription drugs (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). Prescription drug abuse among teens has rapidly increased, and has become a public health concern. (Milner, Ham, Zamboanga, 2014.) With