Why is there a huge increase in drug use?

1. 80

   Patkayposted 12 years ago

   Every where you turn, people are into drugs, all kinds of drugs that are affecting them negatively, some to the extent of being dispatched to the next world. What is happening to the society? Will everyone be turned to a drug addict in the near future? Will we end up with substance dependent zombies?

   replyreport
2. 77

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   I don't think there has been any sudden recent increase.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In Africa there is. From illicit brews to hard drugs. For instance, there are those who must consume these illicit brews everyday. Without it, they are like vehicles without petrol/gasoline.

      replyreport
      1. 80

         Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         psycheskinner, I forgot to mention that we are even making lethal concotions made up of Anti retroviral drugs mixed up with other substances. You can search for 'sisters of death' on you tube.

         replyreport
3. 72

   Shanna11posted 12 years ago

   Like psyche said, I don't think there's any sudden huge increase, but I think culture is changing in a way that makes drug use more accepted and commonplace. I think also (and this is just my non-fact-based opinion) that people are becoming more and more desensitized, disillusioned and bored with things. They need to go to greater lengths to feel new levels of excitement or the next high, which leads more people to experiment with drugs. It's the next level in our Prozac-nation.
   
   Overseas, I'm led to think of those in Middle Eastern countries who turn to opiates to kind of numb their poverty and lack of hope.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Shanna11, when they get bored with things, why don't they try out something that will not harm them? Those who take them because they are poor, even when they somber up, they will still be poor.

      replyreport
      1. 72

         Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Because people like an element of danger and the unknown. I'm really just thinking of all the people I went to high school who fit this profile exactly. They were spoilt kids who'd seen and done all that they thought mattered. Life was boring, so why not add an element of danger?
         
         As for those in poverty who take drugs-- of course they will still be poor, so they take more drugs! There's a large number of poor people who are addicted for this reason. NatGeo did an article on it once...

         replyreport
         1. 80

            Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I agree with you. And if something is not done, we will have a major crisis in the near future.

            replyreport
   2. 51

      Ungracefuljulesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The mid east, supplies usa... They really do not have an opioid problem.

      replyreport
      1. 72

         Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Perhaps not. I was generalizing an old NatGeo article, so I don't have any real sources.

         replyreport
4. 69

   Tusitala Tomposted 12 years ago

   Let's look at two 'categories' of drug takers.   First there are those who, like most people, try a drug, be it alcohol, cigarettes - the ones generally approved by our Western society (so they can be taxed to the hilt by governments) - or the ones that are not, like Indian Hemp, Cocaine, Heroin etc.   All are generally tried not only out of curiosity but by compliance to 'peer pressure.'   No one wants to 'wimp out.'    Some people are, of course, more easily hooked than others.   Once hooked, it isn't always easy to ween off.   All sorts of rationalizaitons as to "why I continue' come into it.   
   
   The second type of drug takers are those who get hooked on doctors's prescription drugs (whether legally subscribed or not)   As some of the biggest companies in the world are behind these drugs there is enormous pressure on medicos, pharmacists, and all manner of marketer to push these.   Oh, and generally, the poor old patient who goes along to a doctor  is 'advised and prescribed' one of these drug-company concoctions.   
   
   It seems that today's society is persuaded over and over that the slightest physical or mental upset can be dealt with by simply 'taking a pill.'   Unlike earlier generations who would 'tough it out' until Nature did the healing naturally, just 'pop a pill,' that'll fix it.   The instant fix.
   
   So why more drug taking?   Probably the major aspect:  A lot of people are making a lot of money out of it!    The choice is yours as to being a part of it.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Tusitala Tom, well spoken, you have hit the nail on the head. "A lot of people are making a lot of money out of it!" And my view is some money hungry rich individuals are exploiting the poor. This is because these drugs end up with the poor guys,

      replyreport
5. 61

   Hollie Thomasposted 12 years ago

   There have been a number of studies which (can't be bothered looking for them now, it's nearly midnight here) which link substance misuse to unemployment/poverty/homelessness. When social/economic conditions stagnate, rates of misuse accelerate. It's the same old, same old.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it true and worrying. The future looks blink especially if you look at the after effects of these substance misuse. It sad to see how most of the youth have been affected, up to the point of not being able to perform their 'night' duties.

      replyreport
6. 84

   Jewelsposted 12 years ago

   I agree with what Tom has said above re pharmaceutical drugs.  It's this that I find is the most disturbing and becoming a common problem in our society.  Taking a pill to fix ones ailments is now the norm and it should not be.  There are now more deaths from medication than cures. 
   
   Pill taking is now part of western culture which is exactly what the pharmaceutical companies molded society into.  Problem is, their seems to be less wellness than ever before so it makes you wonder what benefits there are in 'pills for pain?'
   
   Time to buck the system if you're embroiled in it.

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Jewels, more deaths from medication than cures and still someone will make money out of that situation. I think it is all about making money.

      replyreport
7. 72

   jacharlessposted 12 years ago

   "The study estimating that 100,000 Americans die each year from their prescriptions looked only at deaths from known side effects. That is, those deaths didn’t happen because the doctor made a mistake and prescribed the wrong drug, or the pharmacist made a mistake in filling the prescription, or the patient accidentally took too much. Unfortunately, thousands of patients die from such mistakes too, but this study looked only at deaths where our present medical system wouldn’t fault anyone. Tens of thousands of people are dying every year from drugs they took just as the doctor directed. This shows you how dangerous medications are."
   
   Start Them Young:
   
   "In recent years, sales of drugs for children have been the industry’s fastest growing business. Doctors now prescribe pills to children for all kinds of conditions — from high cholesterol to anxiety. The market for ADHD drugs has long been a big opportunity for the industry. More recently, the companies have had their sales reps urge doctors to prescribe antidepressants, anti-psychotics and other psychiatric meds to children. The result: our kids take more of those medicines than children in other countries. For example, a study last year found that American children take three times more attention deficit medications and antidepressants than children in Europe. "
   **anti-psychotics and other psychiatric meds are barbituate. Most provided are short term or long term. Once taken, the bodies immune system changes, mind is altered and thus recreation drugs pail in comparison, yet are used to create the same effect.
   
   Alternet
   
   Rx Numbers for 2011:
   
   3,764,698,318 [3.8 Billion] prescriptions written in the US alone in 2011.
   Estimated income for the top 10 health-care providers and pharma companies -Johnson & Johnson being #1 exceeded $227,551,806,436 [$228 Billion] in the US alone in 2011.
   
   Double that number for 2012...
   
   State Health Facts

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      jacharless, with all this where are heading? For sure, we are turning to drug dependant zombies

      replyreport
8. 81

   kathleenkatposted 12 years ago

   Prescription drugs are very much becoming a 'thing.'
   
   I had whiplash last year, and I went to see a doctor for it. That doctor didn't even examine me; they prescribed me Vicodin and muscle relaxers. That covered up the pain, and helped with the stiffness.
   
   Three months later, I go in for X-rays, and find that because of that, my neck healed incorrectly. I have been receiving chiropractic therapy for 10 months, now, because the doctor treated the symptom, not the cause. I am much better, now, but it still isn't fully back to normal. My chiropractor says I probably never will be, but it sure is nice to be able to turn my head and look to the right, now, rather than move my entire torso to do so. Makes driving easier. But, I suppose my being on those prescriptions got some pharmacy some $$$, as well as a guarantee to the doctor that I would be returning to the doctor's office (probably for more drugs, because once I ran out of relaxers, the pain and stiffness returned).
   
   
   That was a little tangent. But that's probably one of the reasons why drugs have become more of a problem; as we develop new ones, more and more are being prescribed. People have a pill for everything. This is the life of a drug: First, brand name. Then, generic name. Then, over the counter. I don't know the full details of it, but things are available over the counter that can get you "high" or make you black out.
   
   
   As for other kinds of drugs... Marijuana, etc. I think we are actually using those less. People aren't going crazy with opium and acid like they did in the 60s. People are a lot more mellow about that stuff, I think. At least, I haven't met that many people that do those kind of drugs, aside from marijuana. I think marijuana is becoming more accepted; you see references to it on TV shows all the time (How I Met Your Mother and their "sandwiches" haha).

   replyreport
   1. 80

      Patkayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      kathleenkat, sad to hear of Doctors treating symptoms and not the real cause. I think many people all over the world are suffering because of this. Some will even turn you into a guinea pig, testing the best drug that will work for you, (hope there ar no doctors in this forum), until you get healed or become a drug dependant.
      
      In our case, it is unfortunate these other hard drugs are finding market. This is all money issue, some guys are making money selling them to poor people who have no tommorow.

      replyreport
9. 74

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   All of the above.
   Really good answers.

   replyreport