Reported by BolivarMoNews.com, in just Polk County Missouri there were 14 fatal accidental prescription drug overdoses in 2009 and 6 already in 2010.
From the news report, Lt. Rod Parks with the Bolivar Police Department said, “What I think causes it is either they’re multi-doctor shopping or they don’t understand that they trade pills so much. You start mixing that together and that becomes lethal amounts in your system. Basically they overload their system and it shuts their body down.”
The victims in Polk County range from 18 to 35. Common abused drugs that have been leading to accidental prescription drug overdoses are Fentanyl patches Oxycontin, Clonazepam, Xanax, Lisenopril, and lithium. If the numbers are this high in just one county in the entire U.S., it is extremely scary thinking of what the statistics are United States wide.
If you have a loved one that you are concerned about not using their prescribed medication properly, talk to their doctor(s) about it. The doctor(s) may not be able to give you any information due to patient confidentiality, but it doesn’t stop them from listening to you with valuable input on what is occurring in your loved ones life. It may not stop the abuse, but it may make the difference between an accidental overdoses.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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What the heck is going on? I personally know 3 people who are abusing prescription drugs. These are not kids looking for a quick trip or a cheap thrill. They are supposedly responsible adults with good jobs and famililies to support. It worries me but it makes me mad too.
ReplyDeletePeople getting prescriptions from multiple doctors for misuse has got to stop. I lost a cousin because of this. It doesn't seem like is would be that big of a deal to set up some type of clearing house to track this. Of course, that wouldn't allow for those who use fictitious names or have someone else get them for them. It's too sad for words.
ReplyDeleteWhen drugs are mixed together for the purpose of getting high, I wouldn't consider that an accidental overdose. It's like playing Russian roulette and claiming that you didn't know the gun was loaded. Get a clue people.
ReplyDeleteI here more about this amost daily. In fact I know a couple of people who are taking more prescription doses of their prescribed drugs than they are supposed to. One of them has started going to a doctor in a nearby town to get the extra pills she needs. It's pretty scary that they don't think they are doing anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how this can be stopped or even controlled. These are legal drugs even though they're being used for illegal purposes. It's hard enough keeping track and dealing with those using illegal substances.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people understand the seriousness of taking medication as prescribed by the doctor. I know several people who take higher doses than the recommended one because they think they need more for one reason or another. I want to say to them, "When did you finish medical school?"
ReplyDeleteToo many doctors today are quick to hand out prescriptions to a patient without doing any in depth exam as to why they need, or want, the prescription. They make it easy to get hooked on these drugs. I know they can't stop it, but they could sure help it.
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