deaths that continue to grow due to the misuse of the very addictive opioid prescription…
It is my belief that the author, Barbara Ehrenreich does put forward an objective plan. Although she is a journalist, she acts as if her true profession is a scientist. She does this by having only one goal set, putting rules and boundaries in place for herself, and recording and analyzing the data she has collected. She decided to completely change her lifestyle and learn how many Americans live their lives. Ehrenreich tries her hardest to enter this experiment with neutral, unbiased ideologies. She mixes her two jobs as a journalist and as a scientist perfectly by using her skills from each one; for example, using first-hand experiences to create a story with a strong, unique purpose and also staying very evidence-based and true. Ehrenreich…
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Dinah Cox was the slave of John Randolph. She was a mother, lived to be one hundred and five years old, and had an extraordinary memory. Cox was freed of her slavery in 1833, when Randolph passed. In Randolph’s passing he freed his slaves and apologized to all of them. Everyone called Cox Aunt Dinah. She was sort of a leader to her people. Some land was purchased for slaves to live on by Randolph. As the slaves prepared for the move, Cox stated her desire to stay. She had work knitting and quilting and didn't wish to quit. The slaves left their homes singing, "Don't weep, don't cry, I shall never turn back anymore." White people came to ridicule but ended up crying because the song was so moving. The elderly and child rode by wagon while others walked. The group made up of over three hundred slaves, took a boat to New Bremen were they were welcomed with aggression. These who’ve already settled the land armed up to stop the slaves from settling on land that was purchased for them. This surely made the slaves feel unwanted anywhere. Despaired the group settled in Ohio. The land that was purchased for them was sold and resold. It is said to be some of the best farm land, but the slaves only collected fair to Ohio. This unjustifiable act brings to question where the rest of the money went. The descendants of the slaves attempted to retrieve their ancestors’ fair portion of the property in 1917. The case was taken to the Supreme Court were the present owners won. The outcome of the verdict was in favor of the current land owners due to statutes of limitation. Lucky for the case, Cox carefully protected her manumission papers. Going from slave to free, Dinah Cox certainly lived a hard life. With these events Cox has learned the value of freedom.…
According to the “Chasing Herion” video medical staff believe that the use of opioids can be in a positive way. Dr.Russel states “The likelihood that the treatment of pain using an opioid drug which is prescribed by a doctor will lead to addiction is extremely low.” Thus supporting this claim. Opioids will be used to treat AIDS and other pain causing diseases.…
Is cosmetic surgery really worth the risk? Rebecca Ganzak, has so many valid points. Such as anesthesia can be quite fatal. However, Rebecca may have some very good points but there are two points in particular that really caught my eye. One being "parents are using this method of correction as a way to avoid actually being a parent." The other being that "after the death of a South Florida teenager Stephanie Kuleba who died the day after her corrective surgery from hyperthermia, cosmetic surgeons say they are seeing more teenager under the age of eighteen than ever…
According to an article on wcax.com, “more Vermonters died from opiate overdoses last year [2011] than murders and traffic fatalities combined.” Some opiates have medically valid uses, while others are recreational drugs of abuse. All are physically addictive, and it has become evident that many people have begun to abuse them. Pharmaceutical drugs have taken over the minds of many Vermonters.…
The author of the editorial, “Doctors Will Play a Critical Role in the Opioid Epidemic,” posted in the New York Times, claim that doctors will need to make safe and effective decisions for treatment of pain due to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing the rise of opioid overdose deaths since 1999. The author states that there are many other alternatives that can be given to treat pain and doctors should be considering them before writing out prescriptions for opioids. This article focuses mainly on the statistics of opioid use and overdose deaths, alternative treatments, and the different steps that health care providers can use to minimize the risk of addiction. Its information is to ensure the safety of…
Perhaps the article wanted to focus on the prescriber’s side of this ethical issue but it is important to note that the pharmacist plays a crucial role. While the physician is prescribing the opioids, it is the pharmacist that often takes the heat if there is an issue with the prescription. From personal experiences, I have observed how situations can turn ugly quick when the pharmacist cannot fill an opioid prescription for whatever reason. This could be due to the insurance not paying for it because it is too early to fill or the pharmacist suspecting that the patient is a drug seeker due to multiple scripts from different providers. In a small town like Milford, the pharmacist could play a role in monitoring how much and how often a patient fills their opioid prescriptions. They could look for trends such as early refills, which could indicate the patient is either a seeker or their pain is not adequately controlled. Pharmacists could also use their knowledge of medications to assist physicians design alternative therapies for adequate pain control. This is an example of the value of altruism in which the pharmacist can establish a positive and respectful relationship with the physician in order to provide the best care for their patients (Haddad). It is unfortunate that some patients will not be able to get adequate pain control with the new restricting guidelines. As the last patient of Dr. Wergin explained, “the people who are abusing these medications are ruining it for the rest of us.”…
Opioid abuse and Addiction is a terrible epidemic that is sweeping the nation like an air-born disease. People as young as teenagers who are still in high school are included in this epidemic. Opioids are drugs that slow down the actions of the body, such as breathing and heartbeat. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes. A chronic disease is a medical condition for life and most cannot walk away from. Opioids also affect the brain to increase pleasant feelings. Doctors prescribe opioid medication to treat pain, and to treat a person addicted to heroin and opiates. There is also growing evidence to suggest a relationship between increased non-medical use of opioid analgesics and heroin abuse in the United States.…
Prescription drug abuse happens whenever someone is using a medication in a manner other than for the use for which it was prescribed, for the experience provided by the medication, or without a proper prescription. Painkillers are by far the most commonly abused prescription drugs, and they’re relatively easy to obtain. Consequently, prescription drug addiction is not all that uncommon. About one in five Americans (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/director) aged twelve and older has used prescription drugs for recreational purposes at some point in their lifetime.…
A study has shown that doctors are only a part of the problem. “While we value convenience and easy fixes, systemic processes can also lead to overprescribing. Although prescription drugs are necessary and lifesaving in many circumstances, the correlation between prescription drugs and prescription drug addiction is undeniable. And the adverse effects are becoming increasingly apparent” (Are Doctors to Blame?). There is no denying that doctors are a part of this issue when you take a look at the number of prescriptions written for painkillers. Patients who are addicted to their prescription drugs have claimed…
A recent poll conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free America found that adolescents listed drugs as the most important problem facing people their age; prescription drug use is a major problem in our country. (Sallin, 2006; Partnership for a Drug Free America). In the United States the second most commonly abused category of drugs are prescription drugs, which is then followed by cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs with marijuana being the most abused drug. This is according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There is approximately 6.3 million Americans that stated they are currently using prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons which eventually becomes and addiction problem. If prescription drug abuse continues to increase, we will have an unbalanced society in the close future.…
As we enter new generations, this issue is dramatically increasing. According to statistics and research done by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, this is an issue that is seen worldwide. Areas such as Europe, South Africa, and South Asia also have high prevalence rates of drug abuse. Although, it is unfortunate to discover and realize that prescription drug overdose among teenagers is more prevalent in the U.S. For instance, in the U.S. alone more than 15 million people abuse prescription drugs (Drug- Free World, 2017). Impressively, this number is more than the combined number who reported abusing street drugs. Shockingly, approximately 2,500 youth abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time. (Drug- Free World, 2017) Those statistics is just teenagers alone. According to the CDC, more than 1,000 people each day are treated in the emergency department for not using prescription opioids as directed (2016). From 1999 to 2015, more than 183,000 people have died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids (CDC, 2016). Approximately more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription drugs in the year of 2015 alone. Interestingly, statistics show that overdose rates were higher among non-Hispanic whites and American Indian or Alaskan Natives, compared to non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics (CDC, 2016). We should stop and ask ourselves, what are the factors causing…
Throughout the country huge masses of people suffer with the addiction to prescription painkillers. “The number of these deaths reached a new peak in 2014 to 47,055 people, or the equivalent of about 125 Americans every day. (Park)” These numbers will only continue to rise as the abuse of opioids continues on. The abuse of opioids have ravished through the nation causing extreme pain and heartache. The opioid epidemic can be controlled and stopped by learning the drugs affects, the consequences of easily obtainable prescriptions, and how the medical world can change past ways by searching for nonaddictive treatments for pain and the treatment for those already addicted to painkillers.…
Millions of people throughout the world are taking drugs on a daily basis. If you were to ask someone why they take prescription drugs, most people would be taking them for the right reason. However, it’s estimated that twenty percent of people in the United States alone have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons.1 Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing problem that often goes unnoticed. Abusing these drugs can often lead to addiction and even death. You can develop an addiction to certain drugs that may include: narcotic painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.1 Prescription drugs are the most common abused category of drugs, right next to marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other dangerous drugs.3 The centers for Disease Control and Prevention have classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic.2 Addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic could help build stronger communities and allow those with substance abuse disorders to lead healthier, more satisfying lives.2…