PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATIONS AND HEROIN EPIDEMIC
Alen J Salerian MD
For some time , Centers For Disease Control And Prevention has been broadcasting a message : Prescription
pain medications have caused an epidemic of deaths and illicit use of heroin .This
CDC claim is scientifically feeble.
Science
says complex psychosocial influences and irrational governmental policies have
caused the increasing overdose deaths.
US has an epidemic of chronic psychiatric
disorders, pain and suicide. The number
of suicide victims have consistently risen in the past 10 years reaching
44,000 fatalities or 13 deaths per 100.000 population. Conservative
estimates place the number of Americans with chronic pain at an all time high
of 80 million.
Millions of Americans in need of prescription medications for pain, addiction
and depression have suffered immensely because of discriminatory
regulations restricting easy access to
treatment.
Draconian restrictions of prescription pain
medications and treating pain doctors as criminals have triggered the rise
in drug related fatalities.
Should we be
surprised if high blood pressure related deaths surge upon regulations restricting easy access
to anti- hypertensive medications ?
Discrimination against people with psychiatric disorders go back to
ancient times.
I am
saddened by an ugly reality : Today not
only discrimination against people with mental problems remains alive ,but it is vigorously promoted by CDC.
References:
Evidence based medicine matters
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