91 Americans dying daily, half a million Americans dying over the last 15 years, and 15,000 people dying every year of overdoses. This is the ongoing epidemic of prescription drugs. When drug abuse comes to mind, you most likely think of illegal drugs like cocaine or heroin. While those are extremely dangerous/harmful, the most commonly abused drugs in America are prescription drugs that range from opioids, stimulants, and anti-anxiety. According to PBS Newshour, William Brangham, this is the biggest drug epidemic in American History, dwarfing the number of lives lost to crack cocaine or methamphetamines.” We see that with a crisis this immense, it is possible it will take a plethora of time to undo the damage done in society.
1990 to 2017
This epidemic did not appear recently, as this crisis became public in the 1990s, pushing a boost in sales for a new class of painkillers. Within the last fifteen years, most overdose have involved these opioids. To provide inside currently, statistics on prescription-related overdoses put this epidemic into perspective. Prescription related overdose DEATHS make up more deaths than cocaine and heroin combines, in addition to almost half a million emergency room visits annually. You may be asking yourself how America came to this. For starts, one in 20 people, …show more content…
These changes can be physical but also lifestyle and behavioral. During the early stages of prescription drug ABUSE, the user may get itchy and nauseated as the drug kicks in. Those who have been ABUSING opoids more frequency may appear drowsy, disinterested, and have several mood swings. Through lifeystle changes, the user may drastic actions. Ths user may commit illegal acts to get money for drug, neglect work, or appear jittery and shady. Though this varies from person to person, once the person becomes dependent on the opiate, several changes will appear
1990 to 2017
This epidemic did not appear recently, as this crisis became public in the 1990s, pushing a boost in sales for a new class of painkillers. Within the last fifteen years, most overdose have involved these opioids. To provide inside currently, statistics on prescription-related overdoses put this epidemic into perspective. Prescription related overdose DEATHS make up more deaths than cocaine and heroin combines, in addition to almost half a million emergency room visits annually. You may be asking yourself how America came to this. For starts, one in 20 people, …show more content…
These changes can be physical but also lifestyle and behavioral. During the early stages of prescription drug ABUSE, the user may get itchy and nauseated as the drug kicks in. Those who have been ABUSING opoids more frequency may appear drowsy, disinterested, and have several mood swings. Through lifeystle changes, the user may drastic actions. Ths user may commit illegal acts to get money for drug, neglect work, or appear jittery and shady. Though this varies from person to person, once the person becomes dependent on the opiate, several changes will appear