A report on “60 Minutes” revealing the increased use of heroin in the United States was in fact old news. The story was accurate, but failed to stress the fact that because some pain killers are either not available or cost prohibitive, many in chronic pain have turned to the cheaper and more effective heroin.

Far too many of our medical professionals have become ‘pill pushers.’ I had two close friends who died due to misdiagnosis and were given medicine which aided in an untimely death.

Over 40 years ago, when our nation began to experience an unnerving increase in drug use, a state senator from Texas, whose name I cannot remember appeared on ‘Good Morning America.’ She profoundly stated that ‘human beings are not supposed to feel good all of the time.’ She wisely stated that sometimes we must endure minor or acute discomfort.

On the internet, on television, pharmaceutical companies are pushing their wares. They always include the statement ‘ask your doctor if this drug is right for you.’ The truth is that it is highly unlikely that he will have sufficient knowledge, and very little knowledge about the side effects. He only knows what the young and pretty female pharmaceutical salesperson told him. Only your pharmacist will have all the information you need. Medical School offers little training regarding prescription drugs.

It is somewhat perplexing that politicians and law enforcement oppose the legalization of marijuana, but say nothing about the abuse of prescription drugs and the immoral nature in which the multi-billion dollar industry conducts business. They easily receive approval from the FDA. They make billions of dollars from sales. Later, class action suits for damages resulting from their use are settled for a small percentage of the income they received.

One disturbing result of America’s dependency on prescription drugs is the increase in the percentage of middle-aged white American deaths.

Anne Case and Angus Deaton of Princeton University recently published a study analyzing prescription drug use in America. Deaths are on the decline in all demographics with the exception of whites aged 45-54. The rate has risen consistently by one-half a percent each year beginning in 1998.

The researchers were not surprised that the situation began in the 1990’s when prescription painkillers became readily available. In the decades which followed suicides and overdoses resulting in death have been on the increase.

Americans refuse to address personal problems; if they feel a little pain, take a pill; if they are depressed, take a pill; if the stress from ordinary, daily life persists, take a pill; if they just need to ‘feel good,’ take a pill.

Many groups, including the Christian religious right, are quick to criticize those who use controlled substances, but say nothing about their neighbors who abuse prescription drugs. Doctors are never considered an accomplice for prescribing drugs about which they have little or no knowledge.

It’s past time for our nation’s people to face the facts; life is not easy, and it’s not meant to be. We must regain control of our lives and our country. Billion dollar corporations have the funds to advertise, and convince the weak-minded and uninformed that their products are safe and can enhance the lives of viewers. We cannot allow unrestricted and immoral actions by the pharmaceutical and medical industries. We receive no support from our legislators; they support special interests.

We can control our own safety and health. Although it was a poor idea when Nancy Reagan shouted ‘just say no,’ it is time to refuse the purchase of unsafe drugs which often have debilitating side effects.

It has been said, ‘hit ‘em where it hurts,’ and that’s in their bank accounts.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Chris Yarzab

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2