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Prescription Narcotics Cause More Deaths than Both Heroin and Cocaine
(Natural News) On the heels of the sudden death of celebrity actress Brittany Murphy, people are once again raising the question of just how dangerous prescription drugs might really be.
Some are arguing, however, that street drugs are the real danger, not prescription drugs. But the following study demonstrates why prescription drugs are far more dangerous than illegal recreational drugs.
According to a new study conducted by physicians at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) in Toronto, the number of deaths due to prescription opioid use has doubled between 1991 and 2004. Following the introduction of oxycodone into Toronto’s drug formulary in 2000, there has been a 500% increase in deaths due to the drugs.
Researchers reviewed over 7,000 files from the Office of the Chief Coroner in Ontario and found that between the years of 1991 and 2004, oxycodone prescriptions increased by more than 850 percent, representing about one-third of the opioid prescriptions given in 2006. (This is the largest prescription increase among all opioid drugs.)
Following the addition of this drug into the provincial drug benefit plan in 2000, deaths from opioid usage rose by 41 percent. Shockingly, deaths from prescription opioids like oxycodone were far greater than deaths from heroin. The vast majority of people who died from opioids had visited their doctor and received a prescription for the drug within a month of their death.
The total number of opioid-related deaths in Toronto in 2004 is estimated to be 27.2 per million people. Study authors said they hope to shed light on the tremendous dangers associated with prescription opioid drugs.
Coked up on prescription smack
It’s the dirty little secret of the pharmaceutical industry: More people are killed by prescription opioids than all those killed by heroin and cocaine combined. And that probably even includes all the shootings of gang bangers in northern Mexico.
Prescription drug abuse is now more common than street drug abuse — by far! And yet Big Pharma rakes in huge profits from all the patient addictions to their opioids. And by “opioids”, what I mean is narcotics. They are, in fact, one and the same.
So of all the drug addicts in America today, you can divide them into two camps:
1) People addicted to street drugs.
2) People addicted to prescription drugs.
The people in group #1 (street drugs) are taken to jail where they are given prison sentences. People in group #2 (prescription drugs) are taken to their doctor where they are given prescription refills. It’s all really the same narcotics, it’s just that one group is legal and the other is illegal.
And what really determines whether a particular narcotic is legal or illegal? Whether or not Big Pharma profits from it. If Big Pharma makes money off the narcotics, they’re considered legal.
Big Pharma, you see, earns tens of billions of dollars each year from drug addicts. And just by coincidence, it turns out that their prescription narcotics are extremely addicting, guaranteeing repeat business. The business model is so dang lucrative, you might think they were drug dealers…
Why do you think the main sponsors for the Partnership For A Drug-Free America are the drug companies themselves? It’s because Big Pharma is trying to eliminate the competition. By keeping up the so-called “War on Drugs” front, the pharmaceutical industry can make sure it dominates the market for narcotics. After all, if you’re going to feed narcotics to a nation full of junkies, why not make a hefty profit on it? That’s the thinking of drug companies, it seems, as they have done basically zilch to effectively stem the abuse of their own prescription narcotics.
Much like the tobacco companies, drug companies secretly want people to be addicted to their products.
Sources:
Deaths Related to Narcotic Pain Relievers have Doubled Since 1991: Study
Deaths from Opioid Use Have Doubled, 5-Fold Increase in Oxycodone Deaths
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/199488-Prescription-Narcotics-Cause-More-Deaths-than-Both-Heroin-and-Cocaine
I am so sick of big pharma and their drug pushers. My step-mom died from a “wrong” prescription. That was just a simple mistake. She wasn’t even addicted. She was put on a “drug” to get her to quit smoking. Now she is gone. I’d rather have seen her smoke until she was dead naturally at 97 like her father than unnaturally at 58. My mother, one of my sisters, her husband and her 10 year old daughter are all on “prescribed, necessary drugs”. They are all more sick than the rest of us who don’t take anything. Drug addicts, all of them. Legalized drug pushers make me sick.
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The same HARMaceutical companies that are supporting the War on Some Drugs are also funding the quasi-prohibition of tobacco so they can sell nico-patches and nico-gum and dangerous smoking cessation drugs like Zyban (wellbutrin) which is know to cause convulsions and death, and Chantix, which can cause persistent nausea or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Whatever happened to the FDA standard of “Safe and Efficacious”?
It’s so cynical. Follow the money.
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Christina Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Follow the money, is right on! Shameful.
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I am a chronic pain patient and have been using prescription narcotics for many years. While I certainly agree that the drug companies are a huge problem, I have an issue with this article. At no point does it mention that most chronic pain patients use prescription narcotics correctly and that the addiction rate is actually very low. People on pain meds are dependent, not addicted. Prescription narcotics are causing so many deaths because they are being prescribed by doctors who don’t have the training, or the meds are not locked in a safe and teenagers or other family members steal them.
There is a huge problem of under-treating pain patients. Stories like this that don’t tell the whole story make it harder for the majority of pain patients who already have a difficult time finding doctors who will treat their pain appropiately.
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Mary Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:06 am
John…I, too, am a chronic pain patient like yourself. And I agree with all that you said.
If only people could understand our predicament. Those who abuse the drugs really cause problems for us who need the meds. We don’t want to be in this pain. And the difference is-those in pain who have to take these pain meds are somewhat relieved of pain with NO HIGHS; those who are not in pain taking the meds will get a HIGH & this is the problem. We do not get a HIGH, only a blocking of the brain signals telling us we feel no pain (& for me, it does not take away my pain completely)
Back surgery put me in this situation. The pain I had prior to the surgery was no way this severe. Scar tissue forming after the surgery wrapping around my sciatica is the cause of my pain now. More surgery, more scar tissue—catch 22.
So folks, try to remember just because other people may be walking around without a cast or walking cane, etc. does not mean they are not in pain; they may even be smiling. But one never knows the problems another one has until you get to know them.
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10 yrs ago I would hve agreed with you–that all of the opiates/narcotics are the same as street narcotics.
And I *do* agree that the pharmaceutical companies only want to eliminate the competition–they really do not care about drug abuse or the people that use any meds/drugs.
I began using herbs and vitamins over 30 yrs ago when they were not so popular nor easily obtained.
However, when I began having terrible pain, pain that chiropractic, accupuncture and exercise did not help me with, I gave in and for the first time in my life used prescription narcotics.
I still use them but a lot fewer.It’s not really a choice–it’s all I can get and all I can do.
I don’t think it’s fair that street drug abusers get sent to jail when prescrition drug users will not, either…but to say we “legal” drug addicts simply get another prescription is complete nonsense!
Most MDs will *not* give them out–period.
And when they do, one would think the patient was being investigated by the FBI and the CIA at the same time.
I trust your opinion usually, and I did buy MMS instead of getting a vaccine for the flu.
But your statements re: prescription opiates and we people that use them is as biased and lacking in concern as “BigPharma’s” press releases.
I have pain 95% of the time..and so far there is *no* affordable treatment,or supplement that helps me.
And yes, I’ve tried.
If you hope to encourage others to go natural or try alternative health, you will not get it for intelligent educated people who know what is true and what isn’t.
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I understand the predicament those of you in chronic pain are in and feel for you, having been there myself. But…since I don’t choose to go the pharmaceutical route, I found that there are other non-addictive solutions such as low level lasers and scenar devices which have totally changed my life. Yes, they cost more upfront, but can last a lifetime and take care of most of my family, friends and neighbors as well. The body is a self healing, self regenerating system. Both of these technologies work with this understanding.
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Pain & Inflammation
Many people may experience pain at some point in their life for one reason or another. Most cases require short term relief due to an acute situation that can be resolved quickly. Others are experiencing chronic pain and require relief just to get through the day. These chronic cases appear to be increasing in number and it is essential to identify the cause of the pain and address it along with a palliative solution until healing has occurred. There are many alternatives to taking prescription and over-the-counter narcotics for pain. Here are some examples that have helped patients in my practice. I assure you none are addictive or have harmful side effects that may end your life without notice.
Boswellia Complex 1 tab 3-4x/day – used for chronic inflammatory conditions arthritis, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, fibromyalgia, Chrons, leukotriene-mediated inflammation such as asthma, ulcerative colitis, inflammation associated with IBS and various cancers.
Saligesic 2-3 per day – used as a natural analgesic, for reduction of pain and inflammation
Black Current Seed Oil 3-6 per day – contains gamma linolenic acid or GLA, precursor to anti-inflammatory prostaglandin I, good for any inflammation, temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain, acute and chronic back pain, joint pain (especially osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis) headaches, combined with St. John’s Wort for neuralgia, body aches and feverish conditions such as common cold and influenza, dry skin, immune support, hangovers, fat metabolism, PMS, and menopause.
Of course there may be situations where even the natural choices may not be appropriate such as pregnancy, lactation, allergy, sensitivity. Always consult with an informed practitioner.
Getting relief for your pain should not cost you your life. There are far too many safe alternatives to choose from. And most importantly, FIND THE CAUSE and address it naturally. You can heal your body and be well again. Don’t believe anyone who tells you it can’t be done. Take responsibility for your health and learn to choose natural.
Be well,
Dr. Susan Duve
http://www.duvewellnesscenter.com
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Correction to my previous post. Some of the indications got scrambled a bit. Here is the correct print.
Boswellia Complex 1 tab 3-4x/day – used for chronic inflammatory conditions arthritis, rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, fibromyalgia, Chrons, leukotriene-mediated inflammation such as asthma, ulcerative colitis, inflammation associated with IBS and various cancers.
Saligesic 2-3 per day – used as a natural analgesic, for reduction of pain and inflammation, temporary relief of musculoskeletal pain, acute and chronic back pain, joint pain (especially osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis) headaches, bursitis, combined with St. John’s Wort for neuralgia, body aches and feverish conditions such as common cold and influenza.
Black Current Seed Oil 3-6 per day – contains gamma linolenic acid or GLA, precursor to anti-inflammatory prostaglandin I, good for any inflammation, dry skin, immune support, hangovers, fat metabolism, PMS, and menopause.
Be well,
Dr. Susan Duve
http://www.duvewellnesscenter.com
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Valentina I agree with you. SCENAR devices are incredibly effective in dealing with pain. I had a tooth that a dentist drilled where he could see the nerve he was right on top of and I had no anesthesia, only the SCENAR device for pain relief and I felt totally comfortable the entire time. There were 3 teeth he worked on in 1.25 hours. No pain the whole time. He was amazed. I also used it in the same way for a dental abscess and multiple bites by a wild cat.
Essential oils also are very effective at helping the body to heal, reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, helping tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones, nerves, skin all repair. There are so many natural remedies that help the body to heal itself.
Try it what do you have to lose?
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Any chronic disease can be dangerous if not treated on time this indicates findrxonline in their articles, in many cases the drugs are of great help to counteract the chronic pain, but there are other supplements that science should be regarded as vegetables and vitamin supplements, many consider the medicines are of great help to counteract the pain, especially opioids narcotics such as Vicodin, Lortab, hydrocodone, oxycontin, oxycodone, tramadol, and many others that exist in today’s market, but I think we should also consider as an additional alternative to supplement the vitamins such as calcium, B complex, vitamin C, do you think it is a contribution to people with chronic disease?
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