HEADLINES ADDICTED TO OXYCODONE

Photo: iStock 

Oxycodone is a "hot" drug on the market with a heavy illegal distribution. Beyond the money making industry it has produced, there are multiple side effects to the usage of Oxycodone, such as, heavy allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, slowed or difficult breathing, tremors and vision changes. Oxycodone is also one of the most abused prescription drugs and, according to the DEA is "certainly the most dangerous." 

• Two Rochester residents plead guilty to drug conspiracy charges involving oxycodone – Fosters.com 
• Oxycodone Child Case Goes To Court - MetroNews 
• Deputies: Man trespassing on railroad tracks found with 45 Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills – news-press.com
• West Virginia man pleads guilty to dealing in contraband cigarettes, oxycodone tablets – CB Online 

These are only 4 of the numerous headlines flooding the breaking news feeds as of late. Across the globe, we are seeing a major outbreak of Oxycodone addiction and illegal distribution that has caused fatalities, jail sentences, broken families, and thousands of dollars in legal investigation fees. 

This just in! 

Photo: vosizneias.com

The United States Government is also on the brink of closing up shop over budget disputes. This means our troops aren’t getting paid, tax returns will be put on hold, between 800,000 and 1.9 million government employees will be furloughed and “it will be open season for anyone wanting to defy the Securities and Exchange Commission, because it will most likely shut down” (Cohan, DailyFinance). 

But what else could turn into an “open season?” Drug trade? Cartels? A quasi legalization of illegal substances? Without government regulations the skies the limit and with the recent death toll on such drugs as oxycodone, are we on the brink of a drug addiction epidemic? 

What are your thoughts on the current debacle within our government? What do you think could ensue without normal regulations in place? 

Know someone struggling with an oxycodone addiction? Call us today! 


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EXPLORING REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Drug and alcohol addiction strikes hard nationally, but there are some differences from region-to-region.  Our next few blogs will explore regional addictions to drugs and alcohol.  

Heath Ledger, Australian actor
died from toxic combination of
prescription drugs.

Some of the important national survey data released at the end of 2010 gave us the good news that teenagers are using less tobacco, methamphetamines, and cocaine.  But on the sobering side, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that the second-leading cause of accidental deaths nationwide (regardless of age) is prescription drug overdose.  In fact, the non-medical use of narcotics is on the rise, leading to higher and higher addiction rates.  

Quick national stats:  

• an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older had used illegal drugs in the month prior to taking the survey 
• the number of illegal drug use among people aged 12 and older had increased 8% over the previous year 
• slightly more than half of Americans aged 12 or older reported drinking in the month prior to the survey (this translates to about 130.6 million people) 
• In 2009, an estimated 22.5 million persons were classified with substance abuse or dependence 
• Of these, 3.2 million were classified with dependence on or abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs 

Interested in a more complete look at what is happening nationally?—explore the comprehensive results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug use and Health 

Let’s look more closely at Florida drug and alcohol issues, where there is an epidemic of prescription narcotic abuse and addiction.  In fact, 49 of the top 50 prescriber's of oxycodone are located in Florida, and this easy access has led to significant misuse of prescription painkillers in the Sunshine State.  

Of concern to Floridians in light of this epidemic, is the impending closure of the Florida Governor’s Office of Drug Control.  

Alcohol dependence in Florida is right at the national average, with binge drinking slightly below national average, and substance abuse trending above the national numbers.  

Cocaine and crack cocaine abuse in Florida is among the highest in the nation.

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