subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Nov 18 2008 

Published: October 03, 2008 03:17 pm    print this story   email this story  

Make fighting drug use first priority

By Tonia Noe-Rose - Staff Writer

I recently attended a drug forum at the Elliottville Baptist Church – and just as other concerned citizens at the meeting – I am sick of the prescription drug problem that’s eating away at our communities.

It’s no secret that we have a huge concern on our hands. It seems that five out of 10 people are hooked on prescription pain killers these days and are traveling to other states to get the stuff and bring it back here in order to feed their habits and sell them on the streets.

What should be done about it? I personally don’t think it can be stopped unless the drug companies are forced to quit making it. I had one person to ask me, “What about those who really need the drugs?” Well, I don’t know.

Certainly with all the technology we have, another form of pain medicine (non-narcotic) could be made to help people suffering from serious injuries or cancer.

Here’s a little pain pill 101 – Hydrocodone, the drug most dealers are trafficking right now, is a semi-synthetic opiod and is of the trademarks drugs, including Vicodin, Lorcet and Loratab.

Then there’s OxyContin that is a trade name of OxyCodone and popular among many drug addicts. Percocet and Percodan also are trade names of OxyCodone. As many of you may already know, OxyContin is often called Hillbilly Heroin.

OxyCodone is the generic form of Roxicodone, which is known on the streets as “Blue Dots” and “Dirty 30s” and a huge drug coming out of Florida.

And as with most pills, OxyContin tablets are to be swallowed whole. However abusers ingest the drug in various ways including chewing or crushing the tablets and snorting the powder.

And addicts have a new way of getting their high a bit faster and keeping it longer. The method is called “Browning” where they insert the tablets into their… umm…bottom half.

Anyway, as long as these drugs are out there, addicts are going to get them. Our jails are completely full (tax dollars feeding them) and the largest percent of the inmates are in on drug charges. When you hear about robberies, burglaries, murders and other crimes, they all seem to involve trafficking in a controlled substance. If you don’t believe me just read the courthouse news.

When a person will risk his or her life to steal copper wiring or trade sex for a couple of pain pills – they are messed up.

I’m sure every person that reads this can say they are in some way or other affected by this epidemic. It could be a friend, a neighbor, a family member – or even you – addicted to painkillers.

My oldest brother died in 2001 from an overdose of OxyContin and my only sister is an addict. She just spent 60 days in jail for being caught in possession of a controlled substance. I also have a very good friend who was just sentenced to prison for multiple charges of trafficking.

My friend got on the stuff and couldn’t get off. Although before she hit rock bottom, she was out begging, borrowing and stealing to get her next fix. This girl has the most wonderful parents in the world who are devastated and can’t figure out what happened.

I have heard some people say drug or alcohol addictions are products of the way a person is raised. I’m not sure about that. But I do believe much of it stems from low self-esteem caused by some sort of trauma, abuse or other negative situations a person has encountered. My friend has always had a serious weight problem and has never felt good about her own self-being.

I think years of worrying about what others thought of her, led my friend to seek a way to feel better. Maybe that’s why she chose drugs.

My sister has been locked up several times, and gone through numerous drug rehabs. Nothing has worked for her. She gets out and goes right back at it. She did suffer a traumatic situation as a teenager, and I do believe that is a big part of her problem. My brother also suffered a horrific situation as a young boy in which haunted him until the day he took his own life. I know we all have choices, as some make good ones while others don’t.

We have to work on getting the drugs out of our communities and then work on saving those who have become addicted.

The only solution I have is stop making the drugs. If they can’t get it, they can’t do it. Yeah, I’m sure some other problem will pop up later, but we can deal with that when it happens.

Right now, you all have to agree that hydrocodone, OxyCodone and OxyContin are the killers rocking our communities. If the companies are forced to stop making the stuff, the dirty doctors can’t prescribe the prescriptions and the dealers can’t sell the poison to our loved ones.

I do hope we can continue with the drug forums in Rowan, Carter and Elliott counties. It’s important, and just as Pastor Tim Rhodes said – it must be our first priority.

print this story   email this story  



monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Homestead
Nursing and Rehab. accepting applications for SRNA’s, KMA's and LPN's who want to make a difference. Flexible shifts, we...>MORE

ARAMARK
at Morehead State Dining Services is currently seeking applicants for experienced cook positions. Benefits available and...>MORE

RN position open
FMC position open
FMC Morehead Dialysis. RN position open 30 hours per week, competitive wages, 401K, paid time off
...>MORE

CAREER
Opportunity. Primerica, Member Citi Inc. Start part-time or full time. Call Libby Slusher @ 866-284-3168....>MORE

Looking for the Perfect Job!
Or are you looking for the perfect employee? Check out our Premium Job Advertising Section. Call 606-784-4116 for more i...>MORE

licensed ABAC
Service Tech. 5 yrs + experience. Benefits, bonus. Email: spgoodjob41@gmail.com...>MORE

See all ads

Deals on Wheels

FOR SALE
2006 Chevy Cobalt. Automatic, A/C, 4 cycl, 42,000 miles. Asking $8,900. call 784-7656....>MORE

Buying or Selling an Automobile?
Look here or list your automobile here for quick selling or buying results! For more information call 606-784-4116....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

for sale or lease to own
5 BR, 3 BA, Brick home in city. With inground pool. New hardwood floors, ceramic tile & carpet. $169,900. Agent owned. ...>MORE

Lot for sale
Level 1/2 acree lot for sale, Mobile homes OK , $8,900. Call 780-8844. ...>MORE

REDUCED
5 BR, 3 BA, Brick home in city. With inground pool. New hardwood floors, ceramic tile & carpet. $169,900. Will consider...>MORE

Perfect new 3
bedroom, 2 bath home with paved d-way, attached garage, whirlpool tub, and much more. $114,900. Call 606-780-8844....>MORE

Level, acre lot
for sale, no restrictions, $7,900. Call 606-780-8844....>MORE

Holly Park
2 bedroom, 1 bath, appliances included. All new carpet and linoleum, new porch. 683-4244, $6,500....>MORE

ATTRACTIVE
3 bedroom 2 bath brick ranch located on Knapp Avenue.  Possible owner financing, $135,000.  Call (606) 784-8602...>MORE

Fleming Co. Ky,
29 acres of peaceful country living, mostly wooded, scenic valley setting, blacktop road frontage with public water, ele...>MORE

Stop renting!!
You can own a brand new 3BR/2 Bath doublewide with land for less than $399 per month for a limited time!! Call now 606-...>MORE

Got land ?
$300.00 down buys 7 mostly wooded acres, Licking River, S. Fleming, 2/3 above flood. Great for nice home, $29,900, $281....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index