Drug Overdose
Drug Overdose
Ketline Abel January 13, 2011
A drug is any substance that when absorbed in the body alters the normally body function. In pharmacies drugs are a chemical substance in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of disease or otherwise physical or mental well being. All drugs have the potential to be misused whether prescribed by a doctor, bought over the counter or bought illegally off the streets. All drugs have the potential to be misused, whether legally prescribed by a doctor, purchased over-the-counter at the local drug store, or bought illegally on the street. Taken in combination with other drugs or with alcohol, even drugs normally considered safe can cause death or serious long term consequences. People who suffer from depression and who have suicidal thoughts are also at high risk for drug overdose. The cause of a drug overdose is either by accidental overuse or by intentional misuse. Accidental drug overdose may be the result of the misuse of prescription medicine such as pain relievers, cough syrup or cold remedies. Accidental overdoses result from either a young child or an adult with damaged mental abilities that are forced to swallow it. An adult especially the elderly or people taking too many medications can accidently take in the wrong medication or take the wrong dose of a medication. Purposeful overdoses are taken at anyone’s desire to get high or harm oneself. Scenarios have occurred where children at the ages younger than 5 months (6 months to 3 years) have the tendency to put anything in their mouths. Children may take drugs by accident based on their curiosity. Drug overdose is common in this age group when medication is accidently left in arms reach for the children to take. In fact, when children find medication they often share it with other children. It is a common accusation that if there is an overdose in one child, the other
Ketline Abel January 13, 2011
A drug is any substance that when absorbed in the body alters the normally body function. In pharmacies drugs are a chemical substance in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of disease or otherwise physical or mental well being. All drugs have the potential to be misused whether prescribed by a doctor, bought over the counter or bought illegally off the streets. All drugs have the potential to be misused, whether legally prescribed by a doctor, purchased over-the-counter at the local drug store, or bought illegally on the street. Taken in combination with other drugs or with alcohol, even drugs normally considered safe can cause death or serious long term consequences. People who suffer from depression and who have suicidal thoughts are also at high risk for drug overdose. The cause of a drug overdose is either by accidental overuse or by intentional misuse. Accidental drug overdose may be the result of the misuse of prescription medicine such as pain relievers, cough syrup or cold remedies. Accidental overdoses result from either a young child or an adult with damaged mental abilities that are forced to swallow it. An adult especially the elderly or people taking too many medications can accidently take in the wrong medication or take the wrong dose of a medication. Purposeful overdoses are taken at anyone’s desire to get high or harm oneself. Scenarios have occurred where children at the ages younger than 5 months (6 months to 3 years) have the tendency to put anything in their mouths. Children may take drugs by accident based on their curiosity. Drug overdose is common in this age group when medication is accidently left in arms reach for the children to take. In fact, when children find medication they often share it with other children. It is a common accusation that if there is an overdose in one child, the other
References: • http://www.answers.com/topic/drug • http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug_overdose/page3_em.htm • http://www.mainegeneral.org/body.cfm?id=1783 [pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]