Prescription drug abuse is out-ranking all other forms of drug abuse. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, non-medical use of prescription drug abuse, age 12 and older, mainly starts by someone obtaining prescription drugs from a friend or relative.
The broad availability of prescription drugs from free samples given out by doctors or left-over prescriptions, that then end up in medicine cabinets or given to friends, are the obvious causes of such findings. Narconon East U.S., an administrative non-profit drug rehabilitation organization, reports that its drug rehab centers have a rising percentage of drug addicts that are withdrawing from prescription drugs.
The real dangers of prescription drugs are often minimized. The fact that these drugs are "safety sealed" in a sterile bottle in no way makes them safe. Alarmingly, the number of side effects for any single drug can number in the hundreds. Despite the disclaimers in advertising to "ask your doctor" and hurried detailing of the side effects, a real understanding is missed by most people on the dangers of prescription drugs.
Narconon provides drug education lectures to schools and community groups. In these lectures they explain that prescription drugs are drugs. Just about every illegal drug was first a medically prescribed drug. From opium to heroin to morphine to methamphetamine to PCP, and on and on, the common denominator of drugs is that they are basically poisons. The amount taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant, a larger amount acts as a depressant, and a larger amount kills the person. This is true of all drugs.
The idea behind Narconon drug education is not to frighten people, but instead to give them the facts concerning drugs so they can themselves make informed decisions. The truth is, all drugs have side effects and some can be life threatening and very damaging. When one has a medically diagnosed condition for which a drug is recommended, the doctor is relied on to weigh the risks involved and determine the correct course of action.
When someone takes another's prescription, these steps are omitted. A full examination of a person’s health history and current physical condition is not done. Risk calculation is not done. Then, the person winds up playing a game of "Russian Roulette" and the result can often be as deadly.
Narconon provides safe, effective drug rehabilitation without the use of drugs. Methods have been developed to permanently and fully rehabilitate someone from drug abuse. When someone has fallen into the trap of addiction, there is a way out that breaks the cycle of drug abuse.
If you or someone you know would like more information on the Narconon program or drug education, please contact Narconon East U.S. at 877-237-3307.
