Prescription drugs are not foreign to most people. They can be found almost anywhere in addition to being relatively easy to acquire. Their abundance and convenience are the main reasons for abuse. The most widely abused medicines can be categorized into opioids, CNS depressants, and stimulants. CNS depressants are medicines such as tranquilizers or sedatives for use as sleep aids, while stimulants such as amphetamines are used with ADHD. Opioids of course deal with pain relief. One of the most popular examples right now deals with Dr. Gregory House from Fox's television series "House" and his addiction to the opioid Vicodin. He is a doctor, and is also open about his addiction yet no one has completely stopped him. Is this saying that this type of drug abuse is acceptable? I hope not.
Doctors are one of the main reasons for prescription drug abuse. After visiting the doctor, more often than not, you end up coming back with some sort of drug. Even if you don't need it, doctors prescribe something in order to satisfy the notion that you came to see them, and you expect to leave with something. This provides the opportunity for people to obtain drugs and sell them, or simply for their own abuse if they choose to. Recently my friend and I were talking about how stupid some of the methods kids are using now to get high when he brought up "pharm parties." Everyone grabs prescription drugs from their houses and throws it in a bowl, then grabs a handful and takes it. It is becoming increasingly popular among teenagers and not enough is being done to combat it. Just because prescription drugs are legal does not make them any less dangerous.
