Prescription

Drug Abuse :

A New Epidemic
Com m only Abused
Painkillers
Coedine
OxyContin
Vicodin
Demerol

All of these are classified as opioids, which are
all derived from the same sources as heroin
and opium, making them highly addictive.
Painkillers make up ¾ of the prescription drug
abuse problem.
Other Prescription Drugs
Valium
Xanax
Dexadrine
Ritalin
Adderall

These drugs are also commonly abused, but
only make up about ¼ of the problem.
 Painkiller Abuse by Age
(in percent)

Data taken from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration:
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/painRelievers/nonmedicalTrends.pdf
 Drug Abuse by 12-17
year olds (in percent)

Data taken from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
(http://www.samhsa.gov)
 Sources of Prescription
Drugs
(in percent)

Data taken from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 2008 National Survey
on Drug Use and Health (http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh)
 List of Side Effects
OxyContin:
1.nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite
2.dizziness, headache, tired feeling
3.dry mouth
4.sweating
5.itching
6.shallow breathing
7.slow heartbeat
8.seizure (convulsions)
9.cold, clammy skin
10.confusion
11.severe weakness or dizziness
12.feeling light-headed, fainting

 List of Side Effects
(continued)
 Vicodin:
1. feeling anxious, dizzy, or drowsy
2. mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation
3. headache, mood changes
4. blurred vision
5. ringing in your ears
6. dry mouth
7. shallow breathing, slow heartbeat
8. feeling light-headed, fainting
9. confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior
10.seizure (convulsions)
11.problems with urination
12.nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite
13.itching
14.dark urine clay-colored stools,
15.jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Valium:


1.drowsiness, tired feeling;

2.dizziness, spinning sensation
3.blurred vision
4.sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares
5.muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination
6.slurred speech
7.nausea, vomiting, constipation
8.headache, memory problems
9.drooling or dry mouth
10.skin rash
11.loss of interest in sex;
12.confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
 Mortality Rates
The number of Americans who die annually from
overdoses on prescription drugs ranges from
106,000 (on the low end) to 200,000 (more
realistic), according to the book Death by
Medicine by Dr. Gary Null.
This amounts to approximately 20% of Detroit’s
population dying over a year because of
prescription drug abuse.
Adverse drug reactions, which are accidental and
caused by an allergy rather than an overdose,
caused 8,928 deaths in a sample of all Medicare
patients, according to Texas Technical University’s
pharmacy program
 Say
“ GOODBYE !”
to
Prescriptio
n Drugs