Deaths from prescription drugs outnumber traffic fatalities in US

[dshobbies]

If I read the preceding correctly, not one death was attributed to medications when taken as prescribed. Many deaths are attributed to the young and too often, stupid which is sad because it is prohibitable. Kids don't really care for whom or what a drug was prescribed for - or even if it is prescriptive.

I also know of those who knew what they were doing. Their pain was no longer controllable, either thru doctors reluctant to prescribe or meds unavailable because of insurance or cost. I know of instances where doctors would not prescribe enough or strong enough drugs leaving victims to search for their own solutions to debilitating pain.

Care and education are two of the biggest solutions. Back in the 50s potheads were looked down upon whereas today, recreational drugs are used by younger and younger and more foolish children both from good homes and bad.

My personal belief is that probably more than 50% of these accidental deaths by adults could have been preventable with a little education. Others could be preventable with proper prescriptions, my own father being a victim of the wrong meds. I also believe that teenagers and peer pressure will cause more kids to do that which they know is wrong which should serve as a warning to parents who keep their heads buried in the sand. I speak from first hand knowledge. Kids will be kids and addictions are addictions. Everything else is simply not enough care. Doctors prescribe wrong meds, not enough meds and the wrong types of meds. Pharmacies aren't as careful as they could be. The elderly aren't monitored correctly - and the rest, stupidity.

I know I'm oversimplifying but if I have seen; kids taking recreational drugs, kids and adults becoming addicted, doctors errors in prescriptions, pharmacy errors, mixing drugs and with alcohol, dosing errors, some deliberate, suicide by drugs - and I consider myself niave, what do a lot of other people see but refuse to do anything to help solve the problem.

If a pharmacy is repeatedly cited for errors, why are they allowed to stay in business? If a doctor is too cautious for fear of over prescribing, why don't they also learn that pain is too strong of a motivator and must be completely addressed and resolved? Parents should assume their children might be tempted and keep all of their medications under lock and key. Why tempt fate? ... Too many deaths are preventable by simply using common sense.

[jsewell]

That was an infomative article, i had no idea how bad it had become. You are right Dale , some could be prevented. I always lock my pain killers in a save and hide the key. Sometimes i can't even find the key!!!! I keep out about a dozen and they are always with me in my purse so even when i leave they are with me. would be anyway cause i will need them!!
judy

[Maria]

All have a responsibility when it comes to this potential problem.

Providers and pharmacists for education and for making sure as best they are able that they are aware of what patients are taking including OTCs and supplements before prescribing/dispensing.

Patients have the responsibility to be as honest and careful as they are able in telling their providers everything they are taking that might potentially interact with any new drug prescribed.

Patients also have the responsiblity of keeping their meds/drugs locked up or somewhere that others cannot easily access including pets.

Patients have the responsibility to ask questions and educate themselves and take their medications responsibly!!!

and much much more however I think it's far easier to get tons of scripts today for all kinds of things and so we have to be that much more careful with regard to what we are ingesting and how we are taking these meds/drugs (responsibly).

thanks Mark for bringing this up (again? or maybe that was another forum that I frequent).

[mmglobal]

Below, I've posted the graph that was included in the article. Note a few things:

1. Traffic deaths are essentially level from through 2006, then have declined steadily. Presumably this comes from safer cars???

2. Drug deaths increased steadily as abuse may have increased and the number of prescriptions of heavy narcotics may have increased. I wonder if the increase corresponds to similar increases in the number of prescriptions. This would directly correspond to accidental deaths from teens taking parents drugs, etc... Note that the prescription drug death red line has remained steady since 2006 and more recently declined.

3. We are really fucking good (and steady) at firearm deaths in the US.

Mark