Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy and now maybe Corey Haim.
I came up with those names at the drop of a hat. I'm sure if I stopped to actually think there would me more... Where's the outrage? All these people died from the use of prescription drugs and yet when it's reported in the media there's something of an "of course it was drugs" attitude of reporting that totally blows my mind.
Money gets poured into educating our children about the dangers of illicit drugs. What about this?? Where are the awareness campaigns? It may look like this is a problem that only people of celebrity have, but I'm doubting that. I just think they're the ones who make the news.
In the 21st Century we live in a fast paced world where celebrities and non-celebrities alike have problems dealing with what life throws at them. I get that. What I don't get is that the use of prescription drugs for everything from restless legs, (my personal favorite) to anti-depressants the moment you feel a bit down is seriously on the rise. Case in point: When I went for a physical I just happened to be going through a period of my life where it's natural to get mood swings. It came up in conversation. The next thing I know the doctor wants to prescribe Paxil, an anti-depressant. I refused and didn't go back to that doctor - I thought it was an over the top solution for my problem.
What's my point? My point is that there is a shift going on in our society that make prescription drugs an acceptable way to solve problems. Not only is this not true, it can also lead to fatal consequences, as the recent run of celebrity deaths proves. So where's the outrage? Why aren't we doing something about this?
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311
It scares me everyday to think about my child and the drugs she may come across in her life... I am pretty sure that I ahve given hera good foundation on how to make the right choices and she also see my disgust when we hear about these things! Great post!
Mar 11, 2010 02:16 AM
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL
I read about Corey in the paper this morning...all of these deaths are so sad and so preventable!
Mar 11, 2010 02:17 AM
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices
Hi Ladies, thanks for the feedback ~ What staggers me is how this is down played in the media. Celebrities are painted as particularly unstable individuals who are themselves to blame for their demise. That's so short sighted I can hardly believe it! When are we actually going to start talking about the real problem?
Denise
Mar 11, 2010 03:08 AM
Highland Park, CA
I know of a young woman who was experiencing some post natal depression; she was given a prescription .... only either the dosage was wrong or she had a reaction of some kind to the medication .... and she ended up in the hospital for several days ... a very close call.
Mar 11, 2010 06:35 AM
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices
Cheryl ~ That was exactly my point. Sometimes in certain situations we will experience lows. That's life. There doesn't need to be a prescription for everything. Some stuff we just need to work through. Doctors are all to ready to whip out the prescription pad in a case like the one you mentioned, rather than just offering friendly advice by pointing out it's normal to get post natal depression and to wait a while to allow the body to adjust to the "new normal."
Denise
Mar 11, 2010 07:09 AM
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor
Hi Denise ~ You're absolutely right - there's a huge problem with abuse of prescription drugs and way too many prescriptions being written. I blame it in part on drug ads being allowed on TV. I think that pharmaceutical companies are also spending oodles of money pushing their wares to doctors. There need to be limits placed on that by the medical community IMO. Thought provoking post!! Thanks.
Liz
Mar 12, 2010 10:28 AM
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices
Hi Liz ~ I definitely agree that pharmaceutical companies are spending oodles of money courting doctors. Therein lies the biggest problem in my opinion. I don't blame TV ads, but a doctor is a person of trust who we visit. They have a lot of power to influence us. And that's a real problem, since most folks are unlikely to question their doctor.
The media's response to Corey Haim's death prompted this post. That really got me going. I just don't get why it's not getting more people going!!!
Denise
Mar 12, 2010 12:54 PM
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