Percocet, Lortab, Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Adderall, Concerta,
Ritalin. Or in our words, OC, Hillbilly heroin, barbs, downers, roofies,
skippy, JIF, and black beauties.
These pretty names kill around 30,000 lives a
year in the US alone. But those are just numbers; numbers of people who died
due to drug overdose. But we forget that these digits are nothing compared to
the amount of people who get affected; their loved ones, their family members,
friends.
Those digits were people, just like you and me. They once did
brilliant in school, played the same sport as you do, watch the same Tv show as
you do, listen to the same music as you do, and go through life's ups and downs
just as you do.
Celebrity drug scandals are nothing new in today's world. Heath Ledger,
Micheal Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Bruce Lee, Brittany Murphy,
Elvis Presley. These are just a very few
of the famous ones whose lives were taken away due to drug abuse. But drug
overdose is not limited to famous people; average people suffer from
debilitating drug use as well.
More and more of us teenagers are landing in the
hospital due to poisoning by these dirty powerful prescription painkillers,
sedatives and tranquilizers. They abuse prescription drugs for a wide number of
reasons, such as to treat pain, to be alert, to lose weight, and mostly to
"get high" Teenagers tend to live under a great deal of pressure. Everything from their
grades, looks, to their other activities are under scrutiny Most of them also
tend to have fragile egos.
When they're insulted, they tend to take it very
personally. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lowered self esteem.
These constant, unrelenting difficult situations, along with peer pressure can
cause some to turn to chemical means such as drugs to ease it.
Some others
suffer from undiagnosed mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety,
obsessive compulsive disorder, and depression. Many try to self treat these disorders
with drugs. This is extremely dangerous,
as drug overdose create negative short- as well as long term consequences.
Stimulant abuse can cause paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and an
irregular heartbeat. Abuse of Opiods can cause drowsiness, nausea, and slowed
breathing while abuse of Depressants cause slurred speech, fatigue, lack of
coordination, and seizures.
Hence it isn't so surprising to note these are
responsible for more overdose deaths (45%) than cocaine, heroin,
methamphetamine, and amphetamines (39%)
Drugs give you moments of strength, as well as moments of weaknesses. But
it's those weak moments where you're supposed to put your chin up, and stay
strong with all that you have. They don't just kill the pain, but take away
your dreams as well. One of the brutal
realities of addiction to prescription drugs; is that they have the capability
to become stronger than you. But try never be a slave to them, always
fight back. Because your body, is your temple. Love it like your mother loved
your baby feet.
Be drug free and cherish the gift of life. Don't ever let yourself to be tempted and if you are, fight it! Be strong.
SAY NO TO DRUGS & BE PROUD TO BE DRUG FREE!!!!
-Farzana
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