The desire to solve problems by taking drugs is a product of our culture. When a child is taught by loving parents that the appropriate response to pain or discomfort is taking a pill, it is obvious that such a child, when faced with the challenges of adolescence, will seek comfort by taking drugs.
An article in Newsweek put this into perspective. Adverse drug reactions, from 'properly' prescribed drugs, are the fourth leading cause of death. According to this article, only heart disease, cancer, and stroke kill more than drugs prescribed by medical doctors.
Reactions to prescription drugs kill more than twice as many as HIV/AIDS or suicide. Fewer die from accidents or diabetes than adverse drug reactions. It is important to point out the limitations of this study.
It didn't include outpatients, cases of malpractice, or instances where the drugs were not taken as directed.
When the number one killer in a society is the healthcare system, then, that system has no excuse except to address its own urgent shortcomings. It is a failed system in need of immediate attention.
It is time to address the real drug problem-the cultural notion that the first solution is to seek for relief of life's problem is a drug. That drug culture we need to address. Frank
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