Essay On Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs can be very helpful if taken properly, but surprisingly can be extremely dangerous if taken improperly and can even be deadly. The addiction to prescription drugs such as pain killers, sedatives, and stimulates, is on the rise and not a new subject among individuals. Although prescription drug abuse is not a fresh issue, it has become a rising epidemic over the last several years. Our nation as a whole should take a stand by raising more awareness, closely monitoring individuals that are prescribed the drugs, and by enforcing stricter punishments for all that are involved in illegal activities with these pills. Prescription drug abuse is not just common among ordinary individuals, but celebrities as well. Take for instance, Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson 's death drew national attention to …show more content…
That is where monitoring a patient closely comes in, before an individual can get a prescription refilled they should be tested to make sure that the drug they are trying to get is in their system. There are ways to monitor a patient closely, but it will take doctors, insurance companies, and pharmacies to work together in order to keep a check on individuals and their prescriptions. Individuals could be made to bring each medication with them to doctor visits in order to do a pill count. A doctor should be able to tell when a patient is "doctor shopping” in order to get high. They should be trained on all the warning signs. If a patient is persistent about getting a drug refilled before it is time, then that’s a sure sign of abuse. Some may say that there is already enough awareness being raised about prescription drug abuse, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 40 people die each day from overdoses caused by narcotic pain relievers ("Families Challenged