Associated Press is reporting information that the Drug Enforcement Administration has gathered and they show that there is a dramatic rise between 2000and 2010 in the distribution of Oxycodone, and that is the key ingredient in Oxycontin, Percocet and Percodan. There were places that showed increases of sixteen fold. Then there is the increase of distribution of hydrocodone and that is the key ingredient in Vicodin, Norco and Lortab; in Appalachia which is the original epicenter of the painkiller epidemic. All of these increases go hand in hand with a wave of overdose deaths, pharmacy robberies and other problems in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Florida and other areas. Not to mention rises in admissions for New Mexico drug rehabs and the ones in other areas.
Pain relievers caused 14,800 overdose deaths in 2008 alone and the death toll is rising this reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Let’s look at some figures. In this nation in the yeas of 2010 pharmacies dispensed the equivalent of 69 tons of pure Oxycodone and 42 tons of pure hydrocodone. What does that translate to in everyday life? Well that means there is enough drugs there to give 40 5 mg Percocets and 24 5 mg Vicodins to every person in the US. It seems the DEA records shipments from distributors to pharmacies, hospital, practitioners and teaching institutions. That is where these figures come from.
Gregory Bunt, medical director at New York’s Day top Village chair of drug treatment clinics believes that the increase is partly due to the aging US population with pain issues and there is a greater willingness by doctors to treat pain. “Sales are being driven by addiction, as users become physically dependent on painkillers and begin “doctor shopping” to keep the prescriptions coming.”
Gil Kerlikowske, the US Drug czar stated to Congress in March: “Prescription medications can provide enormous health and quality-of-life benefits to patients. However, we all now recognize that these drugs can be just as dangerous and deadly as illicit substances when misused or abused.”
These Opioids like hydrocodone and Oxycodone can release intense feelings of well-being. That is one of the reasons why many people are turning to this drug. In the elderly this also helps with their depression, so it is said. In the addict it keeps them feeling good and after all it is legal, more than the corner fix.
Some of us are knowing that this increase could be the result of pharmaceuticals marketing on the TV and other media that these drugs can be helpful. Also doctors are absolutely giving out more of these prescriptions for pain in their patients.
These drugs are harmful to you and your body. Taking them can lead to adverse effects in your life. If you know someone who wants to get off these drugs; get them to an Inpatient treatment center or one of the prescription drug rehabs. There they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.