Pubdate: Wed, 21 Feb 2007
Source: Kincardine News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Kincardine News
Contact:  http://www.kincardinenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2186
Author: Troy Patterson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

PROMOTING 'GOOD' DRUGS IN SHADOW OF THE BAD

My Thoughts On Things...

I don't know how our society expects to control drugs and substance 
abuse, when anti-narcotic ads are running almost side-by-side with 
prescription drug promotions.

In one ear people can hear about how marijuana, crystal meth, cocaine 
and ecstacy will ruin their lives, while in the other ear they hear 
about how sleeping pills, erectile dysfunction meds and the vast 
pharmaceutical catalog of legal drugs can help make their lives better.

When the government can't properly educate and explain to the public 
the similarities between the two, what right does society have to 
condemn the 'illegal' drugs in society?

We've all been told about the drugs that do good for us and our 
families, but rarely do we hear about how damaging, addictive and 
deadly prescription drugs can be... the focus is always on the 'bad' drugs.

Growing up I saw friends grind up and snort anything from sugar to 
ground up Tylenol, Codeine, Ritalin, along with over-the-counter 
drugs. As adults, some of them have grown up, while others still cram 
stuff up their nostrils.

What are they looking for you may ask? A solution or a 'cure' and a 
key to what ails them, be it depression, family life, the need to fit 
in or whatever.

When drug ads appear on television, they portray how their product 
can improve life, so many take that route instead of dealing with 
life head-on. It's impossible not to be exposed or addicted to 
something in life, be it caffeine, sugar, fatty foods to illegal 
drugs... the question is how you choose to deal with each scenario.

My grandmother fought with prescription drug addiction during the 
1960s and 70s and shortly before her death, my mother dumped enough 
unmarked pills out of her purse and down the drain, they could have 
filled a candy dish. She lived in a generation when substance abuse 
was relatively new, counselling was unavailable and addiction was hush-hush.

Although I have my share of addictions and vices, I look at her 
struggle as an example I can live my life on. I grew up on 
antibiotics and pain killers and as of my teens, swore them off 
completely because of complications.

I feel stronger, seemingly am less sick and fight off illness faster 
without my body having to process foreign materials. I'd much rather 
give my body the chance at fighting off infection first, before 
trying medications.

For many people, it seems the placebo effect or 'because I'm taking 
something I therefore feel better' mentality often trumps common 
sense. Some take comfort in a stocked up medicine cabinet, but I don't.

A good example is sleeping pills, for which I recently saw a 
ridiculous advertisement.

It boasted that the pill could give you seven to eight hours of 
'undisturbed' sleep. I understand there are sleep disorders, but come 
on... for the people who deal with them how about they go for a long 
walk, stay up late or do something else to bring them to 
physical/mental exhaustion first. Pills are a cop-out.

Our ancestors lived life without many of these types of aides, so why 
do we have to baby ourselves instead of fighting through these minor 
issues? Some arguments could be convenience or 'because we can', but 
all-in-all they're the one's dealing with the side effects.

Drug companies don't suggest alternatives to resolve the consumer's 
sleeping problem... their solution is their drug. It's media 
manipulation for profit and these companies would be disgusted if 
they realized how their careers can have a negative impact.

For all the good medications that heal/help people, the symptomatic 
relief and other unnecessary meds hurt many other people at the same time.

I imagine they'd argue that it's up people to make their own 
choices... but even with all the push for 'media literacy', many 
people based a large amount of their decisions on what goes on in the 
media, in terms of reports, news stories, advertising, etc.

It's a slimy way to go about it, but they're not doing anything 
illegal... just immoral.

Immorality is based on society's opinion, so until the majority can 
fully understand both sides of the illegal/prescription drug issue, 
addictions will be ever-present.

Until then pharmaceutical companies will continue to take advantage 
of consumer weakness, while promoting the 'good' drugs in the shadow 
of the 'bad'.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom