Drug Abuse And Prescription Opioid Painkillers - 1409 Words

In the United States, more than 2 million people suffer from substance abuse disorders that correlate with use of prescription opioid painkillers. Over the past 15 years, overdose deaths due to prescription opioids have more than quadrupled. One of the underlying causes is the over prescription of pain relievers by physicians. This was demonstrated in 2013, with the writing of 207 million prescriptions for opioid pain relievers. Opiates can be classified as natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic. Heroin and methadone are the two most commonly used opioids in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse classifies the following drugs as the most commonly abused prescription opioids including: fentanyl, meperidine, and methadone†¦show more content†¦Northeast drug markets receive wholesale quantities of heroin supplied by Columbian TCO’s. Columbian traffickers will also utilize both the Mexican and Dominican organizations for further transportation and distribution of heroin to target cities along the east coast. Columbia and Mexico together account for more than 90% of the heroin supplied to the United States. The definition of narcoterrorism was first created in 1983 by former Peruvian president Belaunde Terry who described the terrorist attacks made against the Peruvian antinarcotics officers. Over the years the definition of narcoterrorism has expanded. The DEA defines narcoterrorism as a subcategory of terrorism in which terrorist groups or known affiliates participate either directly or indirectly with the making, manufacturing, transportation, or dissemination of controlled substances including the monies resulting from these activities. Traditionally the war on drugs and the war on terror have been treated as separate entities. Narcoterrorism combines these two concepts from a deeper understanding that drug trafficking and terrorism are interconnected. Both the terrorist and narcotics organizations emphasize privacy and concealment from law enforcement because it is essential for the survival of both organizations. The chances of both organizations interacting are high due to the cr iminal nature of their activities. TheShow MoreRelatedEvery Day, Millions Of Americans Take Some Form Of Prescription1670 Words   |  7 Pagestake some form of prescription drug to treat anything from an anxiety disorder to severe physical pain. They are not getting these drugs off of the streets, from a dark alley, or from a drug dealer; they are getting them from people that are supposed to help you feel better: doctors. â€Å"Roughly one in five Americans are prescribed an opiate every year, for treatment of an acute injury, for example, or dental work or for chronic pain.† (McCarthy) Obviously, some of the painkillers prescribed nowadaysRead MoreDrug Abuse And The United States879 Words   |  4 PagesThe issue of drug abuse and addiction in the United States has become much more relevant in the past few years. Drugs and the drug crisis were for the longest time something which was limited geographically, socially and racially. Which is to say that drugs were only a à ¢â‚¬Å"problem† in the inner city. In the 1980s, this was symbolized by the so-called crack epidemic which ravaged the poorer and most fragile communities in the country. The issue of drug abuse in the United States is important becauseRead MoreDrug Use American Society Today Essay1202 Words   |  5 PagesDrug Use in American Society Today Drug use in America is one of the major issues we face and the problem has skyrocketed over the past three decades. Heroin and painkiller addictions exceed all other countries. It is important that we address some of the causes that lead to the abuse, how to treat the abuse, and how to prevent the distribution of illegal prescription drugs. Drug use in the United States has increased for the past few years. A report conducted by Tobias Salinger from NY DailyRead MoreEffects Of Prescription Painkillers On The United States1050 Words   |  5 Pagesuse of painkillers, the question still remains, how are states acting upon implementing an action that will be specified to regulate the amount painkillers distributed by doctors to patients. If this new policy begins we will be able to analyze the changes that will affect the world be identifying this new policy we will be able to explain the macroeconomic consequence that will follow. Around the States there has been a major concern for the growing number of deaths concerning prescription painkillersRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Opioid Addiction1678 Words   |  7 PagesUnited States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that it is also predominantRead MoreHeroin Drugs And Its Effects On The Lives Of Young White Males1703 Words   |  7 Pagesand previous opioid addictions to other prescription drugs. Young white males in many different communities are becoming hooked because of the careless use of pain pills prescribed or taking them fro m parents’ medicine cabinets. The communities include rural towns, big cities, and suburbs all across the country. â€Å"The rate of past-year heroin use among non-Hispanic whites increased 114.3% from 1.4 per 1,000 in 2002–2004 to 3.0 per 1,000 in 2011–2013† (CDC, 2015). Furthermore, heroin abuse has more thanRead MoreThe Effects Of Drug Overdose Deaths1493 Words   |  6 PagesNew Jersey Heroin and Opiate Epidemic Drug overdose deaths have become the leading cause of accidental deaths in New Jersey. The crisis of drug addiction in teens and young adults has increased from 2012. According to a 2014 drug report, there has been an increase of 200% over the past five years in substance abuse mainly due to prescription medications (New Jersey Task Force). Furthermore, prescription medications may lead to other substance abuse problems. For instance, many youths turn to opiatesRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse990 Words   |  4 PagesPrescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science of Drug Abuse Addictio n, 2014). Prescription drugsRead MorePainkillers : Drugs And Drugs Essay2061 Words   |  9 Pages Painkillers in America Jonathan Nask Palm Beach State College Introduction Opium poppies are one of key ingredients in making prescription painkillers. Analgesic drugs range from acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, morphine and oxycodone. Each one of these medications have a different potency, but act as pain relievers. Depending on seriousness of an induvial pain will decides which painkiller is most appropriate for the person. Some painkillers are also more addictingRead MoreAddiction And Opioid Use For Drug Abuse954 Words   |  4 PagesAddiction and opioid use Drug abuse and addiction remain large and persistent problems. Nationally, addiction and abuse of all substances costs the economy an estimated $600 billion dollars annually. Indeed, over the past decade, illicit drug use appears to be steady or rising (2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; DHHS). From this we see that prescription and non-prescription opioid use is particularly problematic. For example, prescription pain reliever misuse has remained consistently