digg

Join DiggAbout

Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.

See the original image at passagesmalibu.com

More Prescription Drug Deaths Than…

passagesmalibu.com — In a report released in July 2005, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University said that prescription drug abuse is skyrocketing. In the United States there is a startling difference between the death rates caused by prescription drugs and more well known killers of our time…

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • lucidguru, on 05/15/2008, -15/+30This doctor is wrong about ADHD. He is talking about a subject that he doesn't know enough about. Neurologists specialize in nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. A psychiatrist, on the other hand, specializes in treating mental disorders, and would have been a much better doctor to quote about ADHD. There are a lot of peer-reviewed papers clearly showing that ADHD is a legitimate mental disorder, and that stimulants help treat the symptoms. Besides the problem is not going to be solved by ELIMINATING prescription drugs, it's going to be solved by creating safer and more effective prescription drugs that have fewer side effects. Drugs help make peoples lives better and they are here to stay.
    • Jimmyb207, on 05/15/2008, -10/+34ADHD is probably the most over diagnosed disorder ever and I believe it is a fraud. What it is, is that kids can no longer behave like kids without inconveniencing and annoying intolerant parents and school staff. As soon as a kid yells out or has a problem sitting still or jumps around or is obsessed with a computer game or anything else that KIDS do, intolerant parents (usually step parents - so beware) and shcool staff think that there is something wrong with them. Kids have always behaved this way!! It's become so pathetic. Allow kids to act like kids and this problem will go away.
      • Dumbledorito, on 05/15/2008, -2/+6Give teachers smaller class sizes and better discipline tools (i.e. punishments that the administration won't overturn because it'll cost the district attendence money) and we'll talk.
        • justz00t, on 05/15/2008, -1/+6Give me school choice and I will show you smaller class sizes.
          • JAVandiver, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2Move to a better school district/send your kids to private school.
        • Blandyman, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1JAVandiver:

          Give me the money for that new house or for that private school.

          (It wouldn't let me post in his thread, sorry guys.)
      • AmnioticEntity, on 05/15/2008, -8/+7allow kids to act like kids huh? i'm a firm believer in the belt, switch & wooden spoon. worked for my ass.
      • gtluke, on 05/15/2008, -0/+13meh
        the condition exists. i was diagnosed with it (ADD, no hyper) when i was like 8, i'm almost 30 now. this was before the ADD craze.
        I truly have a problem paying attention and sometimes it gets really bad. they gave me ridilin for medication but i stopped taking it after a year or two because it actually hampered some of my problem solving and math skills. without the medication i would zone out, bad. but during those zone outs i could recall and complete complex tasks in my head. helping with math, but killing me while trying to "learn"
        now that i'm a lot older i just learn to deal with it, take a lot of notes when people are talking, and use my disability aka gift to my advantage.
        i really got saved in high school where they had a special program for people who really needed small classes to learn. i also got very skilled teachers who were attuned to my ridiculousness.
        • DelayedEraser, on 05/15/2008, -0/+9similarly, some people are genuinely depressed – they have problems staying motivated and feeling alive, and it can get really bad, and they really need help. the problem is that now, at the smallest onset of the "symptoms" of ADD or depression, people are immediately diagnosed (misdiagnosed in probably about 99% of cases) and medicated.
      • Metman, on 05/15/2008, -0/+7While I agree with you that it is over-diagnosed. Your comment - "can no longer behave like kids without inconveniencing and annoying intolerant parents and school staff" I find disturbing. Firstly, we have created a culture that uses 'children' as a form of fear mongering. I think effects of this can been seen in legislation and in the way schools currently handle our children.
        I have a 10 yr old as well as a 3 yr old nephew who have been 'diagnosed' with ADD and are being considered by the mother to be medicated for this condition. Before I go on, let me state the these wonderful young men exhibit no symptoms of ADD while in my care. They can focus for hours on end playing video game, legos or even homework and household chores. Although when they are in the presence of either their mother or their grandmother they are suddenly uncontrollable brats who refuse to listen to what is being asked of them, with one exception - if they are in my home. Now I certainly know of people who have ADD, including adults. I believe it is a condition that exists, but all too often labeled on children and adults who simply lack self-control or self-discipline. A former boyfriend of my sister-in-law, whose children I am referring, once asked me if I had fun putting the kids to bed at their appointed bed time. I responded that they were in fact no trouble at all. I tucked them in and turned off the light regularly without incident. Puzzled he continued to question me about various scenarios where they had epic battles of wills with these two kids. So I began to take notice of how things were different in my house then in theirs. Right away one thing became amazingly apparent. When I punished these kids for not listening they went to their room. A room with no TV, no video games, no phone and no toys. Basically a room with a bed and a dresser - our guest bedroom. Unlike their room at home full of stuff to do.Of course, at first there were 'discussions' about the punishment but very quickly they simply accepted the consequences for their actions if rules were broken. Another major difference was that the 10yr old in particular discovered if he could get him mom to laugh after being in trouble the punishment was either shortened or neglected. The younger brother figured out if he screamed and carried on long enough - mom would simply give in. In my house if you did the crime, you did your time - NO exceptions. Every boundaries we drew for these kids had consequence for their being crossed. At first, I was known as "Mean Uncle Marc" but soon when oldest nephew started dealing with issues, be it from school or questions regarding his father who is non-existent - he came to me. He respects me, not for being some hard ass but I believe that he realizes I am looking out for his best interests and more importantly lessons on becoming a young man.
      • TCVitale, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0I agree that ADD/ADHD is excessively diagnosed, and the trend is increasing unfortunately. But even though diagnosing criteria/testing isn't strict enough, that doesn't mean the whole disorder is a fraud. I'll agree with you that most children are hyper, but once they move into adolescence and these symptoms still exist, then the whole "it's what kids do" argument goes right down the *****. I know this from family members who have and are currently doing their best to manage this frustrating (and sometimes debilitating) disorder, some of them now being adults. You really never grow out of it, contrary to the claims made in decades-old research.
    • aguita, on 05/15/2008, -3/+21Like it has been said, it's over diagnosed and in most cases fraud. While I believe there are legitimate cases, like anything else, it's over diagnosed.
      OMG! You move your legs when you sleep! You have restless legs syndrome!
      OMG! You daydream? Fidget? You must have ADHD!
      OMG! You're sad sometimes? You need anti-depressants!
      Give me a break. It's all about money, and prescription drugs will only be about money. They could care less if you have the problem or not as long as you buy.
      • Metman, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4We have a pill to fix your condition. Submit now or be diagnosed as a 'free radical'.
      • mmeiser, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Oh, come on, we don't push stuff on people they don't need... not at all... when has that ever happened.

        Can I offer you a home loan or home mortgage?

        -end sarcasm-

        For a look at VERY similar economics that have caused the Home load / credit crisis the "This American Life" episode "Giant Pool of Money". It is a must listen. Absolutely brilliant.

        http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode ...
    • clclark33, on 05/15/2008, -2/+6ADHD is indeed over diagnosed. If you think a kid has trouble with his attention span, sit him down in front of GTA IV or Halo 3 and just see how long he can sit there and pay attention without getting up to do anything else.
      • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2That would make sense, if ADHD worked like that.

        It doesnt, and you clearly dont understand it.

        There is no question that it is vastly over-diagnosed, but it does exist.
    • isntreal, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Let's just clear one thing up: anyone who takes stimulants is going to perform better.
      • MsArtGeek, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2until the inevitable crash...
        • isntreal, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2True, but applies to everyone, not just ADD/ADHD patients.

          I just find it a little bit crazy to be handing out amphetamines/stimulants so excessively when 75% of the patients are probably just lazy or unmotivated.. or drug dealers.
    • lforder, on 05/15/2008, -3/+7Actually drugs don't help to make people's lives better at all. They cause a temporary relief of symptoms while effectively causing imbalances that lead to increasingly serious health issues. Consuming a diet and living a lifestyle which allow your body to regenerate yourself and maintain a low level of toxins/stress is the only way to improve your quality of life (as far as health is concerned) in the long term.

      If someone can't survive without drugs, 9 times out of 10 it's because they've lived a detrimental lifestyle long enough to allow health problems to appear. These health problems then grow exponentially because instead of addressing the lifestyle issue (the CAUSE and SOURCE), the symptoms are covered up with medication.

      Live to be healthy, and you won't end up being a detriment to society by imposing health care costs on taxpayers to keep your self-destroyed ass alive a little longer.
      • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Keep your ***** non-science to yourself. The minute you mentioned "toxins" in your blathering you lost all chance at a valid response.
      • aquireworth, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1I believe you are absolutely correct :)
      • guyincognitoo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2When used properly, they don't cause imbalances, they fix the ones that are already there.
    • Tyfud, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3You misunderstood what the neurologist said about ADHD. He didn't claim there was a mis-diagnosing, or that ADHD prescriptions shouldn't be given out. What he said is that because of what's contained in that prescription, it creates a cascading effect of unhealthy combinations of prescriptions, which *will* create a heavy dependency on drugs from a very young age.

      You could also extend that out to say that someone who's used to taking the amount of medications that an average ADHD child must, would become accustomed to this process, and continue adding more and more to their list of prescriptions they must take.
    • yammy1688, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1"creating safer and more effective prescription drugs that have fewer side effects"

      Marijuana sounds like the drug you're looking for!
    • dylio, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2My brother's best friend died from a methadone overdose on Mother's Day. It's ***** how Marijuana gets such bad rep whenever LEGAL drugs are the ones that kill.
    • RealDealRick, on 05/24/2008, -0/+1Less side-effects for prescription drugs is a discredited fantasy. Drugs should be a last resort. There needs to be more research on natural remedies but the drug companies want to make money so it'll never happen.
  • jquipp, on 05/15/2008, -7/+12would appear to be an epidemic. Problem is the drug companies virtually control the doctors ... most medical training is funded by RX.
    • beachtrader, on 05/15/2008, -1/+7No its not. Prove it. Oh, that's right, this is Digg. You can make factual misrepresentations all the time and they are taken as gospel...
    • bakstuh, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3Normally I wouldn't label this as an epidemic, but Monday morning a good friend of mine passed away from an overdose of OxyContin (and had been out of rehab for only 1 day). He was a star athlete (even up to his death), intelligent, and a damn good friend. He was 23. This is an epidemic.
      • Metman, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I am confused. Rehab as in 'addiction treatment' or physical therapy... what?
      • mike17032, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1He was either a junkie or to stupid to take the correct dose. Neither of those things are a sign of an epidemic.
        • bakstuh, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0It's "too", and he was *out* of rehab for only 1 day. I suppose you could label him a junkie, easy enough because you didn't know him, and I can't defend because I didn't know that side of him (if he was a junkie, it was a rapid downhill spiral, because just last year he was clean as a whistle). I would only assume, and I'm not informed on the details, that he was able to get his hands on some pills illegally. The latter portion of my statement being the key indicator of my previous statement. The war on drugs is utterly useless I agree, but the funny thing is (and perhaps the point), these drugs are actually legal with a proper prescription.
    • DrDigg, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3What are you talking about? Medical training is almost completely funded by the government. PS I don't get any money from the pharm companies, only crappy pens that ruin my lab coats. Oh and the occasional pad of paper and crappy lunch.
  • louiebaur, on 05/15/2008, -0/+6That doesn't surprise me there are allot of pill poppers out there
    • SpectralSounds, on 05/15/2008, -0/+7Who doesn't love oxycontin, dilaudid, norcos, and fentanyl patches?

      All joking aside, I used to be addicted to opiates and kicking that habit is not much fun. The withdrawals are pretty far away from being pleasant.
      • isntreal, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1ughhh diluadid.. that's what broke my relationship with opiates. friend and i had an iv bag of liquid diluadid, taking tablespoons at a time. don't.
      • bbqsalad, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I was in hospital for 6 weeks after having massive chest surgurys. After being on dilaudid for almost the entire time then coming home and needing oxycontin for a few months trying to get back to normal and sober was like going through hell. Even to this day I miss the drugs greatly. But glad I was able to get off them. It really is legal heroin. And abusing it is all too easy once you understand the feelings you get after taking more than prescribed.
        • isntreal, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2No kidding. I had a similar situation after kidney surgery.
  • skored, on 05/15/2008, -0/+8sad but not surprising considering the study that came out today: "Study: More than 50% of Americans on prescription meds" http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=8321054&nav ...
  • granolajoe, on 05/15/2008, -1/+11I still remember how my brother (at 9 years old) went from being an energetic, enthusiastic little kid to a withdrawn, paranoid and sometimes delusional stranger when my mother had him on Adderall. Thankfully, he fought to quit on his own and my mother eventually gave up. Despite his behavioral issues from time to time, I preferred his belligerence and loudness over his depressive alter ego on medication.
    • gregfadein, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1You are aware that Adderall is speed, right?

      Adderall, ritalin, et al, are prescribed for the attention-deficit component of ADD. They don't tend to do much for the hyperactivity component of ADHD, and they certainly wouldn't calm him down.

      His "depressive alter ego" wasn't a direct result of the medication, but a psychosomatic response to it. In other words, he assumed the drug would cause him to act a certain way, and he did because of that assumption, not the drug.

      If you've ever had a friend get "fake high" from marijuana, you've seen this phenomenon.
      • reckless8594, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Don't make assumptions. Adderall is an amphetamine., but most people that truly have ADD/ADHD experience a reverse effect, and some without it do also. Everyone I know that has a prescription for it has the symptoms described by granolajoe.
  • vic42482, on 05/15/2008, -7/+44"Illegal Drugs 17,000" - yet 0 from marijuana
    • SkippyDoorknob, on 05/15/2008, -14/+6What about the guy high on pot who crashes his car into someone else killing them and/or himself?
      • xerox, on 05/15/2008, -2/+6Proof or it didn't happen.
      • DelayedEraser, on 05/15/2008, -0/+12what about him? cars are dangerous as all hell and lots of sober skilled drivers kill each other too. unless you can show with statistics that pot increases the frequency of accidents – like you can for alcohol quite easily – it doesn't mean anything. What about the guy who ate some brussel sprouts before he got in his car accident? doesn't mean a damn thing
      • duk0r, on 05/15/2008, -1/+5How is that a related death as a direct result from Marijuana?
        It was that persons PERSONAL CHOICE to get in their car and drive while impaired. It's not like he smoked a joint, got in his car and later died from marijuana positioning causing his car to wreck into some one else. That just isn't going to happen.
      • clclark33, on 05/15/2008, -0/+6That would be classified as a traffic-related death. We are talking dying specifically because of the the drugs or marijuana.
        • SkippyDoorknob, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Thank you. Your's is the only response to my comment that actually uses the article to point out that my comment wasn't directly related to the topic.

          The rest of the responses above are knee-jerk responses by people who want to pretend that marijuana has never been a factor in any death or injury.
    • fatdefacto, on 05/15/2008, -14/+8Get off it. Smoking marijuana is just as carcinogenic as smoking tobacco or any other plant matter. Not to mention suicides caused by the depression marijuana causes in some/most people.

      I'm not saying don't do it, just don't kid yourself that it's harmless.
      • JergoR, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4I smoke my weed with a filter. no carcinogens. ^_^
      • DelayedEraser, on 05/15/2008, -0/+6it's not "harmless" but it's also not a killer. it is certainly less harmful/addictive/both than alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, saturated fat or any of the other legally sanctioned habits.
      • duk0r, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4You do know that there are other methods to consuming Marijuana other then smoking it (Vaporizer, THC Strips, Eating, etc..)? Smoking is essentialy the cheapest and most convenient way to get it in your system.

        Suicides? Could you please cite your sources? I can speak from experience. I had a roommate that was suicidal and had major depression problems. Everyday after work I would smoke her up, thus easing her depression and suicidal thoughts. She now has a smoke every time she is having a "episode" to calm herself down.
        However, I do understand that different chemicals have adverse effects on different people. But from what I have seen in the past, it helps with most depression issues more then anything.

        Look, if you smoke a joint and it makes you depressed. You probably wouldn't smoke anymore, plain and simple. Thats why I don't drink, it makes me depressed. I don't understand the drug war logic of people sometime. The logic of: "You can't think for yourself, you cant decide what you can or can't put in your body. Let us make that decision for you." Sad really.
        • fatdefacto, on 05/15/2008, -1/+11 Greenblatt, J. Adolescent self-reported behaviors and their association with marijuana use. SAMHSA, 1998.
          2 Patton, GC et al. Cannabis use and mental health in young people: cohort study. British Medical Journal, 325:1195–1198, 2002.
          3 Bovasso, GB. Cannabis abuse as a risk factor for depressive symptoms. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 158:2033–2037, 2001.
          4 Fergusson, DM et al. Cannabis use and psychosocial adjustment in adolescence and young adulthood. Addiction, 97:1123–1135, 2002.
          5 Brook, JS et al. The effect of early marijuana use on later anxiety and depressive symptoms. NYS Psychologist, 35–40, 2001.
          6 Lynskey, M et al. Major depressive disorder, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in twins discordant for cannabis dependence and early-onset cannabis use. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61:1026–1032, 2004.

          Primary literature is hard to argue with.

          Like you say, different people have different reactions to stuff like pot. I just have a lot of friends who are stoners and blame how down they are on anything but the pot and in fact see weed as the cure and not the cause.
      • captZEEbo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2it's harmful, but so is soda, ice cream, red meat, alcohol, etc, etc, etc, etc. It's relatively harmless compared to what else you can legally get.
    • drastik21, on 05/15/2008, -1/+6What about the cop that called 911and told the operator that he and wife were dead because they ate weed brownies.
      • whitebishop, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2Did you just say a cop called 911, and told them that _he_ was dead ?
        • SkippyDoorknob, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I guess you never heard the recording.
      • captZEEbo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZLc9lqQM0
      • mightyslick, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2That was the funniest sh!t I had seen in a while. That cop probably put a massive amount of really good weed and a small batch of brownies. And yeah he said they were dead. Goes to show how stupid some cops are and where your weed goes when they take it from you.
      • whitebishop, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1hahahaha oh man.
        calls 911 after an hour and a half, right when they are kicking in.
        that made my day

    • Carlix, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Source?
    • LadyOBOF, on 05/16/2008, -0/+0We all know that the government and the drug companies are one and the same. They're just thugs...pushing drugs. Wake up America. Over medicated...sedated. Take this pill 2day and your pain will go away...but you may experience lots of side effects from constipation to severe headaches and maybe heart failure. Don't let the drug companies experiment on you. Prescription drugs are out of control. Who's greasing who? Doctors pushing drugs? getting kick-backs like thugs? and the government getting a cut...*****-in you in the butt. Get Real...Give the people the insurance they need. Proper Care...Less Drugs.
  • psogle, on 05/15/2008, -3/+12I wonder how many of the suicides are also related to prescription drugs. I know some can be tied to anti-depresents
    • AmnioticEntity, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1i was wondering the same thing psogle..then again - the article looks to be nothing more than an advertisement for this betty ford knock off. i want 2007 statistics & source.
    • gregfadein, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2The problem with this is that anti-depressants are prescribed pretty much exclusively to—wait for it—depressed people. You'll find that most suicides are committed by—wait for it—depressed people.

      In other words, anti-depressants don't (necessarily) cause suicide, but rather are used exclusively by a group that is incredibly prone to suicide.

      Not that the topic shouldn't be looked into (and it is), but a correlation doesn't mean that there's a causation.
    • DrDigg, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2That would be nearly impossible to tell. People on anti-depressents are by defination more likely to be suicidal.

      The best study to date would be the recent CDC study which shows a dramatic increase in teen suicide when SSRI usuage was restricted by black box warnings.
      http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?art ...

      But you are right there are other medications associated with suicide.
    • guyincognitoo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Some depressed people are too depressed to do anything, including the planning and following through of a suicide. When these people take the anti-depressant drug they get better, but it goes slowly. At the beginning of treatment, they will still be depressed, but feel well enough to follow through with their suicide. Hence all of the warnings.
  • vermax, on 05/15/2008, -1/+13at least they aren't smokin that dope, that wacky weed, i hear that ***** makes you try like harder drugs and ***** babble babble drone
    • braves01, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1"Marijuana is a gateway to Doritos" - some lady on C-SPAN that was posted here a while ago.
  • chicofaraby, on 05/15/2008, -8/+11The FDA used to protect consumers. Since the ultra right took power n the 1980s it is a rubber stamp for the drug corporations.

    Right wing government kills Americans.
    • Avor, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2You can call for insanely strict and long testing, however, people which the medication could help will be "hurt" then. Yes, the FDA does approve some drugs that, 5 years down the road, we find it causes serious side effects. There are even some good drugs that do not make it through the FDA. You can lock up drugs in testing forever so they never see the light of day, or you can release every drug that passes by. Either end of the spectrum is a bad choice, and the FDA plays in the middle ground.

      You make it sound as if we are flooded with medication that is actively harmful to everyone that takes it - ALL medication is that way if taken incorrectly. This article isn't about the correct usage of drugs killing people, it is about using legit medication in an abusive manner.
    • captZEEbo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1government kills americans period.
    • texanbrit, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1The 80s, I'm guessing you're under 30, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide
      The FDA walks a fine line between stopping useful drugs reaching the public and making sure sufficient testing is done. Of course they are a government agency, so they struggle with funding and there is always the risk of political lobbying from the big drug companies to fast track a drug.
      As previous comments have suggested, what would you prefer? Something in the private sector to regulate drugs, as the private sector is normally so trustworthy? Or the end of regulation?
  • MrEddy, on 05/15/2008, -3/+11Not the slightest bit surprising. Prescription drugs are nothing more than legalized drug dealers.
    Doesn't mean prescription drugs don't have a good use. But, people need more information so they can see whats going on.
    • gregfadein, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1If you've ever read the pamphlet that comes with any prescription drug, you'll find about 10x the information you need.

      I think you'll find very few people who aren't aware that there are risks—including addiction and death—involved in prescription drugs. (Over the counter drugs like Tylenol are a slightly different story.)

      Rather, I think most people prefer a small risk of death to a lifetime of living in cripplingly poor health. Viewed in that light, there's not so much of a problem.
  • Uglakaa, on 05/15/2008, -1/+8I believe we are too quick to pop a pill to treat symptoms, and symptoms of symptoms rather than understanding and fixing the true cause of a problem or illness. And often times we don't want to face what the real problem is because it will mean a change to our life style or having to give up something we enjoy.
  • shoediva, on 05/15/2008, -2/+1Wow..... that's wild........very sad also.
  • jackshellac, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3I don't feel so bad about getting off my face now.
  • martinbowling, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3yeah I think we are way too quick to pop that pill, if we only lived our lives better i.e. didn't pump ourselves full of this garbage food that these so called food companies throw at us I think we would probably be much healthier! wouldn't need a drug for everything under the sun.
    • AmnioticEntity, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1pills are only slightly more scary than a needle in my arm. jmho.
  • markus941, on 05/15/2008, -2/+11Where are the commercials on TV for this, like the "weed makes you kill a a friend" PSA's?
  • izackcarson, on 05/15/2008, -0/+5I knew someone who dealt in college and then went on to become a pharamceutical rep after graduation. While I'm sure her story is not typical, I find it good to keep in mind when examining the drug industry.
  • Hetman, on 05/15/2008, -3/+1When you have big pharmacy spreading there drug propoganda constantly and lobbying politicans you can afford to kill a few people. It is good business actually.
  • DeFex, on 05/15/2008, -2/+5This shows that the fight for freedom is successful!
    these companies are now have the FREEDOM to kill or maim you with no concequences.
    Profit > life
  • Infowarmachine, on 05/15/2008, -1/+7how does it make sense that perscription drugs, and drugs used during surgeries kill thousands and thousands of people a month
    and weed has killed what? no one? ever?
    and its illegal while the others arent..
  • huckdizz, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4How does one die from "infertility"?
    • texanbrit, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Maybe infertility treatments come with an element of risk?
      • huckdizz, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Then wouldn't that be a death from prescription drugs?
  • xerox, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Of course people are hooked on the stuff. Doctors are far more eager to throw some drugs at you these days and hope it fixes the problem. Most people don't know how powerful half the drugs they are taking, actually are. And why is it so hard to kick? Because everyone finds it completely acceptable and you have an infinite supply available to you.
  • bobkingof12vs, on 05/15/2008, -3/+3i came on to my computer this morning to download poweriso... i went to digg first, to check the top stories... i ended up spending two hours here before realizing (and halfway forgetting) that i came on here to download something...

    thats why i love digg
  • budser, on 05/15/2008, -0/+420,000 sexual behavior deaths...Can anyone break this down for me? I can understand STD's, but infertility? Never heard of that killing anyone.
    • drlha, on 05/15/2008, -0/+117,234 - Penis snapped off due to incorrect insertion leading to bleeding to death.
  • shdwsclan, on 05/15/2008, -4/+3Well, then there are drugs, like lipitor, that manufacturers, like phizer, sell knowing they cause irreparable nerve damage and liver cancer in the long run, but fail to disclose this to doctors, push for FDA scapegoating(a new law that would make the fda responsible, thus eliminating any drug lawsuits) and use spin doctors and cheezy ads to market it to people as a do-all miracle drug.

    Basically, dont trust anybody.
    Dont trust your doctor, he is not operating in your best interest.
    Dont trust your pharmacist, he his not operating in your best interest.
    • DrDigg, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Don't trust a random digg commentor spurting unsubstantiated b.s.
    • guyincognitoo, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2Lipitor is the best statin made, I've seen the numbers.
  • Jorin, on 05/15/2008, -1/+3It's better for people to die from abusing drugs that corporations make money from than it is for people to die from illegal or non-corporate drugs, which deprives drug companies of potential profits. Don't you think?
    • fatrandy13, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1actually, yes - IF someone's going to die from a drug overdose, I would rather see the money go to an american corporation than into a drug dealers hands.
  • TheBigBlueShoe, on 05/15/2008, -2/+3Best part of the article:

    "Statistics prove prescription drugs are 16,400% more deadly than terrorists. It is not difficult to calculate the actual probability that one of us might die from a terrorist attack on US soil. If we consider Oklahoma City and 9/11, as well as the other attacks on US soil, we end up with close to 3100 terror deaths in ten years. That’s about 310 deaths by terror on US soil per year."
  • galvo, on 05/15/2008, -1/+4And yet marijuana is still illegal.

    I know at least 5+ people that have died because of Oxy's alone. Stupid, stupid, stupid drug.
    • Hetman, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Yea me to. They were not all Oxy's some of them died on methodone also. I will say though they were abusing them. But there is no way a doctor should be prescibing Oxy's or methodones to anyone under 30. Seriously before my friend died he had a script to Methodone, and zanax and there was nothing wrong with him. It baffles my mind how these doctors are not charged with at lest gross neglegence.
      • Jbone1986, on 05/15/2008, -0/+0If the patient would take some responsibility in their own treatment and actually listen to the doctor and/or pharmacist on how to take the medication and the risks associated with taking the medication in a manner other than prescribed, death would not be an outcome. There is a reason oxycodone and methadone are CII's, they are dangerous and provide benefit only in specific clinical situations. However, it is hard to lay blame on the patient, because I have to believe that if a health professional had counseled the people you know, they would not have died. If they attained the drugs illegally, then its just another drug abuse related death
        • galvo, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1My point is, it's impossible to overdose on marijuana. It's also MUCH cheaper to make/grow than methadone or oxys.

          But since the government and pharmaceutical companies looooove money, they keep weed illegal.

          You can overdose on Vitamin C. You can't on weed. Go figure.
  • displaced1, on 05/15/2008, -0/+4Normally I would have a lot to say about something medically related, but this just sucks. Not much that can be done besides hiding the prescription drugs or taking something with less "fun" side effects.
    On a side note, patients who come in after smoking marijuana have never given me a problem, hell they are kind of funny. But assholes who come in after taking cocaine or extremely drunk are terrible. Nothing gets my blood pumping faster than having to retrain one of those two as they try and swing at me. Then keeping them restrained so they don't try and escape and hurt someone else. Less money should be spent on marijuana related issues and more on damn near everything else. Well, not much will be done with just a post on digg.
    • displaced1, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1On an other side note. If you are contiplating commiting suicide, please get help. It is possibly one of the most selfish acts someone could do. You hurt everyone who loves you and that pain lasts for a very long time. Again, not much can be done with this post, but I preach this to patients that come in.
  • JMellissa, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1Not at all surprising to me!
  • l815, on 05/15/2008, -1/+0Prescription drugs can monopolize because the materials required to make them.

    I'm sure majority of the people in the world would rather toke up for happiness than take Prozac.
    Yet why is it still illegal?
  • Jorin, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1It scared me when a friend of mine was put on prozac on the whim of some doctor. Her mood changed because of it, and it wasn't for the best. She didn't seem much happier at all. In fact, her emotional responses seemed dulled and she was less expressive. At times I made some heated remarks against the situation because I was so skeptical. I didn't think drugs were the answer to life's problems... Eventually she stopped taking the medication. She became more outgoing, more emotionally expressive -both negatively and positively- and more tuned into life.

    So forgive me if I have some harsh words for the drug industry, clown-face psychiatrists and other peddlers who get into people's lives without knowing their facts. Who would have thought this friend of mine just needed to face the challenges of life, learn from them and grow as a person.

    It is equally possible for pharmaceuticals to lead people astray as it is for drugs like marijuana, LSD and other recreationals. The difference is profit and control. Drug dealers indeed.
  • Brownds, on 05/15/2008, -2/+0Geez people calm down, take a pill! Oh wait!
  • visiblepulse, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2Prescription drugs and fighting terrorism are big money makers. Buy some stock in those enterprises.
  • karrtoon, on 05/15/2008, -0/+2I was misdiagnosed with a.d.d., had all kinds of heart palpitations from taking the adderrall that was prescribed. Loved it at first.. as it made me interested in the most boring tasks. But It triggered panic attacks in me, and I just didn't feel like myself. I finally realized that if something is boring in my life, such as my job, etc, I had find something that truly interested me..
  • chrissku, on 05/15/2008, -1/+2First step to resolving this problem is by completely revamping the FDA. The system is broken and as Americans it's time we fix it.
  • stopthistrain, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I'll agree that some doctors try to throw pills at people. But I still feel some of this is our society's fault. Everyone wants a quick fix. Instead of really changed your eating habits, why not just take lipitor. Patients want the drugs. People ask for them. I'm not saying doctors and pharma aren't really at fault, but that we have to take some blame.
    Everyone in this society wants a quick high, a quick fix, everything has to be now now now, everything has to be made simpler. So this is what we're left with. People abusing drugs (either hard or prescribed), looking for quick remedies, and not ever really dealing with their problems or life's situations.
    So this sure isn't surprising.
  • FearFactory, on 05/15/2008, -2/+2Blood keeps drinking away
    Certain of its destination
    Driving through new orleans at night
    Gotta find a destination

    Just one fix

    Life keeps slipping away
    Fighting in a war with damnation
    Poised, keep cutting away
    Im looking in through to salvation

    Just one fix

    Like if I boarded a train
    Trying to take in another station
    Join us and the choice will be made
    Unless we kill the lie as a nation
    • DiggRestrictsMe, on 05/16/2008, -0/+1Poetry night huh? I wrote this a while back. It sucks, but it's sorta fitting.

      How's the medicine work for you?
      Does it do all the things you want it to do?
      Bleed the streams,
      Strip the youth,
      Build the bridge,
      that will destroy you.

      Find a way to shed the need,
      Sate the insantiable desire to feed.
      Will the way be in a pill?
      Don't just swallow if you're ill.

      Millions of users
      Endless abusers
      reduced to stumbling,
      mumbling *POOF*

      Stitched together with soiled twine,
      the strings of life start to unwind.
      You seem to be doing just fine.
      It is under control right?

      Still in control when penny-pinched paychecks
      pay for a way to escape reality?
  • tehxen3, on 05/15/2008, -0/+3I obtain ADHD drugs illegally and they help me perform tasks I otherwise have no interest or find difficult to do.
    It's stupid to give young kids dangerous drugs but ADHD meds can drastically help young adults academically.
    • Hetman, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1I do not disagree with you. Adderol does make you concentrate more. But it is addicting. And if you do abuse it long enough it will mess up your MAOI inhibiters
  • VitriolAndAngst, on 05/15/2008, -0/+1ADHD is a real condition that is over-diagnosed and sometimes can be dealt with without drugs. Both sides are a little right and a little wrong in my opinion.

    I was diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and a few other things like Hyperactivity. I was one of the first pioneers with Ritalin -- which turned me into a zombie. Later I used other things -- none were really great, but they were better than nothing at all. I really couldn't focus on normal school-work, though I read all our encyclopedias in the house and finally left learning disabilities schools for gifted programs when they found I had a genius level IQ. I'd trade some functionality for brilliance on an average day.

    My mother in fact, was someone who helped to push through recognition of the Attention Deficit and Learning Disabilities in adults. A great lady, but she was also focusing too much on problems. Becoming a better student meant focusing on my strengths -- this is a good prescription for anyone. The Problem I have with focusing on ADHD -- is that "so you have a problem focusing" -- what will you do? Will you keep trying to force yourself to concentrate, or will you find new study techniques and work with your strengths? You are most likely smarter than average and have quicker reflexes if you have Attention Deficit. Work with that.

    I've since overcome, or grown out of, or perhaps cured MOST of my problems. I could use SOMETHING, right now, because years of angst with BushCo has made it harder to focus again. -- anyway...

    I'd say there are clearly 3 problems that are causing this "epidemic."
    1) Half of the people are more designed for action, and aren't mentally designed for sitting still all day and being essentially inactive. The Lack of more rigorous physical activity outdoors is the Main problem. Schools could also be more hands-on, and a adapt a bit to the student. I think some Asian schools, that have older students teaching younger are better suited for "kinesthetic" learners. I am NOT, kinesthetic learner however -- I just cannot learn when I am bored. But I have to have physical activity as well. We've changed the environment and some of us don't fit.
    2) Our diet has changed. I could point to a few really top suspects for what causes a lot of health and mental problems. Suffice to say; we have experimented a bit too much with foods that don't exactly kill us -- but aren't exactly good enough to eat. Supplements cannot cover for a diet of processed foods. Get rid of the junk, and cook real food and no more soda or juice -- most of our health and mental problems would go away. To put it simply. Perhaps this goes along with a tumultuous home environment as well -- but that depression, again, could probably be cured by exercise and REAL, unprocessed food better than by an anti-depressent. Anti-depressants work, to get your brain out of a rut -- but long-term, you need to address what created the depression. And as much as genetics -- that is diet and exercise.
    3) Humans have not changed. So, whatever the problem is, it HAS TO BE: Social, change in diet, change in environment. With Social, being the thing Conservatives most like to blame but is actually the least significant factor IMHO. Now, since we all have to go to our schools, and most of us are kind of locked into our diets until we get some discipline (which would be easier if we were functioning), we take the drugs to cope. Not having the drugs -- we have REAL problems.

    There are some people with Learning Disabilities, and a problem with concentrating on things they don't care about (that's why ADHD kids can play video games for hours but cannot do home work -- one of those things is exciting their brain -- has nothing to do with a kid not getting enough beatings). These issues have, of course, come into play as everyone now has to go to school and perform at a certain level, and again, some of us are not adapted to lack of exercise and processed food. Our economy would go bust, however, if everyone got off the drugs and ate right. Our GNP is a measure of stuff we waste time on -- not our level of satisfaction.
  • robthom, on 05/15/2008, -1/+1Buried for pussy ass cliffhanger title trick. ***** you dude.
  • redfred18t, on 05/16/2008, -1/+0What I dont understand is how there are 29,000 deaths from firearms, yet homicide death totals 20,000

    very odd
  • Kazul9, on 05/24/2008, -0/+0Wow, great article!!! Would you mind checking out mine and leave a comment telling me what you think? It's here: http://brainblogger.com/2008/05/22/recent-drug-sta ...
    Thanks!!!
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.