Not What the Doctor Ordered

By now, most of us are aware of the tragic and untimely death of actor Heath Ledger. The 28-year old Australian native passed away last month from an accidental drug overdose. What may be the most shocking revelation in Ledger’s case is that a toxicology report showed all of the drugs in his system were legal, prescription medications. Standing out in the report were two well-known pain relief narcotics: hydrocodone and oxycodone, apparently two of the most widely abused prescription drugs.

Additionally, an autopsy revealed that a combination of painkillers, anti-anxiety and sleeping medication were also found in Ledger’s bloodstream. By themselves, all of the drugs found in his system were relatively safe, but their combination was deadly. A medical examiner revealed that no unusually high concentration of any one drug was found, thus exposing the hidden dangers of combining prescription medications even at low doses.

What is even more unsettling is the budding prevalence of prescription drug use in America, particularly among today’s youth. A USA Today article describes how their availability and legality is making pills a common outlet for abuse. Scarier still is that most of the people using prescription drugs for recreational purposes are also recklessly mixing them together, unaware of the potentially deadly consequences. Apparently the combination of narcotics and sleep aids depresses the central nervous system, adversely altering normal breathing patterns. If the right combination of drugs is used, even at low doses, the respiratory system can suddenly shut down.

A problem fueling this outbreak are the online prescription drug retailers. If you simply ‘google’ “online prescription drugs” more than a dozen sites pop up where you can instantly fill out order forms for drugs that would normally require a physician’s referral. Because of their relatively easy accessibility, prescription drugs are finding their place in teen culture. What method of obtaining drugs could possibly be easier for today’s tech-savvy youth? Most of these sites require no background check, and the pills are delivered right to your doorstep. The world of online shopping has really caught up with us.

The reasons for using drugs vary greatly between individuals, cultures, and countries, however many adolescents are experimenting with prescription drugs with the mentality that because they are legal that they are also safe. The fact that such potentially deadly medications (when used for recreational purposes) are sold online only supplements that notion. Apparent misconceptions and are widespread ignorance are putting prescription drug abuse on the map, and I think we have only begun to see the tip of the iceberg.

Quite simply, someone needs to be held accountable. Whether it is the regulation of online retailing, monitoring physicians’ prescriptions, or us as a society, properly educating today’s youths about the dangers and detriments of prescription drug abuse, we need to take more responsibility. If not, this festering problem will continue to spiral out of control. Elementary, middle school, and high school students have been taught for years about the addiction and harm caused by illicit drugs. Maybe we should begin to pay more attention to the ones we can buy at CVS. If we cannot stop the online sale of pharmaceuticals, maybe it is time we revamp our education tactics or, at the very least, acknowledge the epidemic at hand.

by T. FitzGerald