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It may seem odd that medication that is initially prescribed to help you can end up hurting you, but prescription medicine, particularly pain medications like Oxycontin, can be highly addictive, and overdosing or mixing different drugs can be fatal. It's not just a problem in Hollywood. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, at least 8,500 deaths in 2005 were associated with pain killer abuse, and emergency rooms nationwide saw a 39 percent spike in visits connected to prescription drug abuse from 2004 to 2006. About 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs.
"There is a relatively low perception of risk," Sean Clarkin of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America told the Christian Science Monitor. "There is a cultural climate – the 'pill for any ill' mentality is contributing to this."Time will only tell if prescription medication caused the cardiac arrest that killed Michael Jackson. An attorney for Jackson's live-in cardiologist, Dr. Conrad Murray, maintains that his client did not give Jackson a shot of Demerol, which, according to various news outlets, including ABC News, Jackson was "heavily addicted" to, before his death.
Whatever conclusions are eventually drawn about the cause of Jackson's death, lessons learned about the risks involved in taking and mixing addictive medications shouldn't be ignored.
For more information about prescription drug abuse:
Medline Plus: Prescription Drug Abuse
Office of National Drug Control Policy: Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription Drug Addiction
DEA's Toll-Free Hotline: 1-877-RxAbuse (1-877-792-2873)
Comments: (6)
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By: Gerald on 7/06/2009 9:36PM
It is not good at all,not at all to take drugs from some one own drugs that they take for there self or even children at 14 to 19 liveing at home
who take drugs from there person.Oh i mean still!!!
drugs from there person,that are give by a doctor. One day you well find your body way,i say way out of place with your self or mean lost for ever and ever and can get back to were you was once at with your self.That mean the good part of were you was meant to be,that meant to take care of your body or it well shute down on you realy fast and i mean that.I no this well,too well!!!! I got another chance to live again.
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By: brooke on 7/02/2009 4:27PM
duh! come on!!! look at morphine... WTF.. it is used to stop the pain.. but guess what.. enough of it WILL KILL YOU... a nurse, gave my grandfather one too much of a dose, & iwithin the next 24 hours, he passed away. he was 68, BUT, he did have cancer. but still, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE DEADLY! & whoever doesnt know that, shouldnt even be taking any kind of meds.
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By: mischella on 7/02/2009 5:50PM
I think if you take anything do it responsible. These people who overdose are troubled people to begin with, why does everyone have to suffer from someone who gets high on it and is abusive? If they didn't get what they want here they can easily get it in another country which just might be the case with MJ. drink responsibly and take medicines responsibly. these drugs are made for severe pain physically not mentally! When you have money you can get anything you want in this world...
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By: mae on 7/03/2009 11:04AM
The Government is some of the biggest drug dealers around. And the Doctors are the drug pushers and it's all legal. Everyone who tries to profit, that's not legally connected is locked up for life. Go figure. This is a helluva society that we live in. Let's see how many noted celebrities have to die, from so called prescribed drugs. Before something is done about this.
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By: chris on 7/12/2009 3:39PM
I am thankful for pain meds. I been on pain meds for years and have been very careful about addiction. A bottle of 60 Vicodin last me well over 2 months. When I get a "flare up"(lasts norm 5 days) I can take as much as 4 a day but when doing well I take none with no withdrawal symptoms. I think if anyone is given narcotics on a regular they should be monitored.
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By: stp on 9/08/2009 5:43PM
Lawsuit Mentions Michael Jackson's Murder And His Fear Sony Would Kill Him
http://www.judiciaryreport.com/fbi.htm
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