Persuasive Essay On Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug overdose is an increasingly widespread public health issue. This is a public health issue because it is claiming lives at a faster rate than ever, with 29 states having doubled the death rate from prescription drug overdose since 1999 (APHA). Not only is it claiming lives at a faster rate, but research has shown repeatedly that prescription drug abuse is a chronic brain disease and should be treated as such, but in our society, we tend to view it as a choice and judge them instead of extending help resources. Something even more alarming to consider is that even though death from prescription drug overdose has leveled off somewhat, death from heroin overdose is growing at an alarming rate; Most people who use heroin began
with prescription drug abuse. One specific population affected by prescription drug abuse is young adults aged 12-17 and the 18-25 age group. 6.2% of people aged 12-17 used pain relievers in the past year for nonmedical purposes, while 11.8% of ages 18-25 misused pain relievers (SAMHSA).
Abuse of these prescription drugs can and does lead to hospitalization in some of these peoples cases. In the 50 and up age group abuse of prescription drugs is also increasing; this age group is at higher risk for abuse because of issues like insomnia and chronic pain. There are many ways changeable behavior can and is helping to tackle this issue. Although we have more progress to make, people are starting to realize through publicized research that prescription drug abuse is a disease rather than someone making poor moral choices and that many people who struggle with substance abuse also have a mental illness. More are recognizing this but still most prescription drug abusers face the criminal justice system as opposed to a specialty treatment center. Another changed behavior that the criminal justice system is working diligently to do is placing nonviolent drug offenders in treatment centers rather than them remaining incarcerated. Opioid prescribing and use has increased, and while most were prescribed to people with pain, many of these prescriptions ended up in hands of
misusers. There is a need for physicians to hesitate before prescribing opioids; A concern exists that limiting the supply may keep people with significant chronic pain from getting medication which is why changeable behavior on the demand side is needed as well. There are ways to be smart about opioid supply without withholding medicine from those who need it such as stressing the importance of only prescribing the amount of medicine the physician thinks someone needs rather than over prescribing. Strengthening prescription drug monitoring databases is also important to help individuals who try to unlawfully obtain prescriptions. By opening our arms to those who need help without ridicule, educating physicians on how to appropriately prescribe opioids, redirecting abusers to specialty treatment centers rather than incarceration coupled with other helpful initiatives, the United States may begin to combat the prescription drug overdose crisis.