Opioids are highly addictive prescription drugs that are used to relieve pain such as Morphine. These drugs can be obtained if one has severe pain even though they aren’t easy to obtain but also not so hard. From my experience it was so easy all I had to say is that the other meds weren’t working (they really weren’t though) and he prescribed me something called tramadol. I hadn’t even started my therapy to see if my back would hurt less he just did and if I can do it so can many other teens. Teens, now-a-days, can somehow get their hands on these things so easily from where? Who knows? The only possible reason is that someone is getting prescribed these things and selling them and that is how they get around. I believe teens who get prescribed these things should get it only after receiving other types of treatment for pain instead of jumping straight from medications that “don’t work” for them to opiates. The DEA reports that in 2011 “22% of 12th graders indicated misuse of a prescription drug without medical supervision in their lifetime; and 15% over the past year” and that being only 12th graders, now that is scary. Parents should also be watching what their kids get prescribed. Most of these teens use these drugs to escape from their problems or just to have fun and that is a problem. These kids think it’s a game but from what I know these drugs can get very addicting. My experience with morphine was so bad, I got addicted to it and it was prescribed because I got an operation. I understand it can be a very severe pain but doctors should at least take people off of these drugs easily and not just so sudden like they normally do. In my high school years I’ve known people who have gotten addicted to these dangerous drugs and I still have no idea who they are getting these things from. It is very sad to see teens get their hands on these drugs so easily and something needs to be done. Most parents don’t even know what their teens are getting prescribed or worst yet they don’t know the dangers or what the drug even is. I believe parents should supervise their children if they get prescribed these drugs. It is said that drug poisoning deaths have increased by 91% between 2000 and 2009 between the ages of 15 and 19. I believe doctors should run background checks before prescribing these drugs or at least look for healthy alternatives. These doctors should also be checked on how many opioids they prescribe every year. These drugs need to be stopped and wiped out of the streets. Parents should get more informed on what their kids are getting prescribed and take action before something bad happens. The government might be doing something about it but they also need to get more involved in it so no more incidents that can be avoided happen.
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