Western North Carolina has been hit hard with the recent increase in deaths due to prescription drug abuse. The overwhelming majority of deaths are attributed to illegally diverted drugs - drugs taken by people to whom they were never prescribed.
North Carolina drug rehabs have seen an increase in the number of drug addicts admitted and data suggests many more seek but do not get treatment.
In Asheville, Dr. John Clark McIntosh had his medical license suspended indefinitely by after admitting to allegations of prescribing narcotics to drug seekers and practicing chronic pain management without formal training.
This is a common recipe for prescription drug abuse- a drug seeker and a doctor, like McIntosh, who, for whatever reason, is willing to prescribe narcotics to them.
In Wilkes County, Project Lazarus is attempting a quick fix for this common situation by providing nasal inhalers with the antidote Naloxone for would be over-dosers.
The project, supported by the North Carolina Medical Association, does not account for those who might never get inhalers or who might leave them at home. These people are still at risk of death because their doctor was never properly educated or drug treatment was not available. Inhalers don’t take the place of responsibility and common sense.
North Carolina will have to look to seasoned drug treatment and education programs to get relief from these real problems that effect real lives -
Narconon of Georgia provides effective drug treatment to the Southeastern United States with a 76% success rate resulting from Sauna detoxification, followed by life skills training.
