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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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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