Free Drug Samples the First Step to Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse

Anyone who has treated drug addicts for very long knows about the dealers on the streets and in the school yards who give drug free samples to potential customers.

The question is why do drug companies have to follow suite with free drug samples of addictive drugs to children?

An investigation published in the October 2008 issue of Pediatrics examined data on over 10,000 children and adolescents from the 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and found that one in 20 children received free drug samples in 2004.

These included unsafe Schedule II drugs such as Strattera (atomoxetine) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine). Both of those medications are Schedule II controlled substances, meaning that because of the high risk of drug abuse, they are controlled and monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Despite the fact that free samples are used by doctors for needy patients, the study showed that few free samples actually go to the children who most need them: only 16% of those receiving free samples were uninsured, and less than a third came from families with low family incomes.

“The street dealer finds a potential client and hands them a sample, knowing that chances are, they will return,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. “Other kids get their first free sampler from the medical doctor.  Once the customer gets addicted and has to start paying there is trouble – that is when we see them at rehab.

“When pharmaceutical companies give samples of Schedule II drugs intended for kids they are advertising for future business.  A free sample of Adderal without proper drug education can leave a child wanting more of the high, without a real understanding that a continued yen for that high can get them strung out or in rehab.”

One of the authors of the study,  Neal LeLeiko, director of the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition at Hasbro and a professor of pediatrics at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, stated: "Previous findings in adults strongly suggest that free drug samples serve as a marketing tool. Our study shows that samples can pose a serious and unappreciated risk to our children."

Bravo to the physicians who are questioning the safety of this.    Please continue to make your voices heard.

Call Narconon Drug Rehab 1-877-413-3073 for more information on effective drug treatment.

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