Narconon Suncoast a non-profit drug rehabilitation program in Pasco County has seen an increase in people coming to them for help for prescription drug addiction. This could be overlooked as an isolated county issue, however to the south in Pinellas County, Narconon Florida has as well Narconon Gulf Coast on the Florida pan handle have seen the evolution of drug addiction over their ten years in operation to become more and more prescription drug abuse.
According to the Pasco and Pinellas County medical examiner's office, deaths associated with oxycodone since 2000 have increased seven times. Oxycodone shows up in more deaths toxicology reports than any other substance tested for.
Oxycodone is a prescription painkiller marketed as OxyContin® and usually prescribed for chronic pain. In 2001 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency noted a dramatic increase in the illicit availability and abuse of OxyContin®. OxyContin®, according to the DEA was marketed by Purdue Pharma as having a lower abuse potential than other opiate-type painkillers. This was clearly not the case and the DEA provided abuse information to the FDA so that better labeling could be done. Despite these efforts, seven times the number of people since then are dying in Pinellas and Pasco testing positive on toxicology reports with oxycodone in their system.
Narconon, in addition to drug rehabilitation, also provides drug education information and drug prevention lectures to schools and community groups. Narconon explains that all drugs have side effects and that prescription painkillers are often highly addictive. When asked specifically about their experiences with prescription painkillers, they explain drugs numb all your senses, not just dull pain. This in an emergency situation can be useful so that, for example, an operation can be performed. However, drugs abused and taken frequently block all feelings and eventually any feeling becomes harder to experience. As one is less aware of his surroundings, due to not feeling, this can result in accidents and the person on drugs involving himself in dangerous situations more easily, simply because the drug use makes him slower to respond and unable to think clearly.
The answer to the rising drug abuse problem in Pasco and Pinellas Counties is prevention through proper drug education. When people understand the facts they can make informed decisions regarding drug use. Narconon provides effective solutions to drug addiction for those already fallen into the trap of drug abuse. Their program is simple and effective and can be done on an outpatient treatment basis, allowing the person to carry on with other aspects of life.
If you would like more information on drugs and drug rehabilitation solutions contact Narconon at 877-237-3307.
