The United States is known, among other things, for it's massive advertising and Madison Avenue the New York street known as the birthplace of modern advertising. Advertising in the U.S. takes almost unlimited forms. As a nation we not only rely on traditional methods of advertising but today advertising has invaded every corner of our culture, from movies, TV shows, pop singers, festivals of all types and most notably the internet.
Children and teens these day spend a great majority of their time involved in modern electronic forms of communication from texting to Facebook to just surfing the web. Public schools are even toying with the idea of eliminating teaching writing in schools as "students will just need to type".
A New Trend of Drug Abuse
With such technology and advertising comes a new trend of drug abuse, prescription drug abuse among teens and young adults fueled by a bombardment in every form of drug advertising. Many have the mistaken idea prescription drugs are safer as they are made in labs and obtained from doctors and dentists. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, (DEA) warns against this false assumption.
The real problem with prescription drugs is a lack of truth about the drugs that are widely publicized. When the laws were relaxed in the late 1990's allowing drug companies to advertise direct to the consumer, product sales rose as would be expected with any advertising. Although this may have been great for investors, it's literally killing our nation's youth and with that, our own futures.
According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 10.5 million people aged 12 or older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the year prior to being surveyed. In addition, 18 percent of fatally injured drivers tested positive for prescription drugs.
The Fastest Growing Drug Problem
Director Gil Kerlikowske of the U.S. DEA, testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, on prescription drug abuse and stated prescription drugs as the "fastest-growing drug problem in the country." This fueled by billions in advertising dollars is just the beginning. The correct action isn't increased punishment for the user, but instead increased education in schools and in all avenues that advertisers are so found of.
Cigarettes were eliminated from TV advertising in the mid 20th century. Tobacco companies promote this was done voluntarily. It would be ideal if prescription drug advertisers recognized their responsibilities in their products and voluntarily withdrew their ads.
The consequences of prescription drug direct to consumer advertising are evident by the number of increased drug sales and number of new addicts. Over 26 million are in need of drug rehabilitation in the U.S. alone. Although not all are prescription drug addicts, the rise in prescription drug abuse is startling outnumbering all illegal drugs except marijuana. Promoting addictive drugs on the one hand, while the DEA is working on the other hand to crack down on prescription drug abuse is definitely the wrong approach. Seventy percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Doctors are also being directly advertised to and given perks of all sorts for prescription drug sales. Pill mills in Florida are used by criminals to obtain and distribute prescription drugs illegally.
All of these actions are consequences of heavily promoting and distributing prescription drugs. The prescription drugs abused don't happen to be the life saving ones. They are pain killers primarily and meant in the main for temporary use.
Antibiotics, heart medicine and insulin are not the type of drugs of concern. Making these widely available has saved lives. However, when drivers are under the influence of narcotics, whether obtained from their dentist or a street drug dealer, the result can be catastrophe.
When children and teens get so accustomed to seeing drugs in use by their favorite celebrities, on TV, and in movies, it's a fairly sure thing they won't think twice about taking them if offered.
The Drug Education Solution
Drug education is vital in schools and media. Narconon is an organization that has excelled in drug education in schools across the country and their speakers reach students by talking to them in their own terms. As one student commented after hearing one of the Narconon lectures, "Just say maybe is the root of our current drug problem...Thank you for providing the plain truth so we can think for ourselves and decide to not use drugs."
Prescription drugs are intended for the one prescribed and even then they carry with them risks of side effects, including addiction. Temporarily they can be a solution to intolerable agony. However, sold on the street or obtained from someone else's left over prescription, the result can be tragic.
If you would like more information on prescription drug abuse or rehabilitation contact Narconon East U.S. at 877-237-3307.
