Posted by JP on April 07, 2002 at 18:50:11:
In Reply to: Drug Abuse Statistics posted by MH on April 04, 2002 at 15:04:56:
> Someone had asked about the national rates of drug abuse. Here's something I stumbled upon with some interesting data.
> High School Youth Drug USe Trends
To MH & et--
Home Invasions seem to be the crime of choice of addicts today. More white boys robbing banks and gas stations than in the past and independent Drug Store owners refusing to carry certain narcotics. And posting signs stating it.
Here's the problem. First, let me say the number of people in this country dependent, not addicted to opiates is hugh. Addicted "pill heads" have been growing, in part because of the majority disapproval of alcohol...and rightly so. An addict wants to escape reality by any means. What happens is the person attempting to stay out of reality obtains a doctor to write him a script of say 60 Vicoden ES's a month and increases to 90. This goes on for a couple of years and the person becomes addicted. For some unknown reason his doctor goes out of business and this guy has to find a replacement doctor in a hurry. Most have a difficult time acquiring a new doctor to supply addiction, so they begin to buy off the street. You would be surprised how many older amercians are obtaining pain medication from their doctor and selling to survive financially. Bottome line... they run out of money and don't want to go thru a week of shaking and baking, while ruling on the floor. They begin robbing...whoever and whatever, until they get caught and hopefully before they hurt someone. The bandaid cure today should be a highly regulated increase in the private sector's operation of methodone treatment centers throughout the county.
Think what would happen if we banned all tobacco products tomorrow...
Please disagree with a suggested solution.
Enjoy your day,
JP