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 Expert
Posts: 1304
 
| So I've had a few (ha) but the terrible drug epidemic that's taking over my home state of WV and other small towns and cities in general, just breaks my heart and wears on my soul every day. I love everyone and hate to see people and their families suffering from addiction that probably started from a pain pill addiction. If you haven't watched it, watch "Heroin(e)", which was made by a WVU grad showing the opiate crisis in our state. It's sad and scary. Is anyone else witnessing this in their towns? Ugh | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
  
Location: OH. IO | yes.here in Ohio it is a very high death rate .And only going higher every day.Our statistics are staggering to say the least..I don't see an end to it anytime soon. | |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I know of 2 small towns in WY on the NE border that meth runs rampant. It's aweful and scary. With 2 young boys I don't know how to make them understand it is a bad choice. I assume the other parents of addics said the same thing to their children, to know avail. | |
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 Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | Unfortunately I have seen this first hand by persons close to me and I never saw it coming and from so many directions.
Their addiction was so strong it trumped everything, God, relationships, even kids. Some of the closest people in my lives became liars, thieves, and worse.
There are no words strong enough to describe the pain of watching ones you love spiral down in a free fall and become someone you don’t even know anymore. Then to go to a funeral.
Addiction knows no boundaries, and is no respect or of young old, rich, poor, successful etc.
I’m sorry this just really struck a chord with me on a deep, personal level.
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Drugs AND alcohol are the downfalls of so many these days. From the richest kid in town to the guy living under the bridge sleeping in a box---like TH said, no respector of persons. I pray nightly for my son, for God to keep Chandler's eyes and mind turned towards Him and away from these things. Scares me to death to think of it. . . . . | |
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 Ms. Marine
Posts: 4628
Location: Texas | Drugs are everywhere unfortunately and the situation isn't going to improve. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | It's here also. I don't think there's anywhere it hasn't touched.
I personally know several families that have been affected and it's just heart breaking. These people come from good strong backgrounds, tremendous support systems. For them it started as a legitimate need due to injury and became a lifelong dependency. It's not just the poor fatherless kids in the bad neighborhoods like you're used to hearing about.
A recent death was a young man who got hooked on them during a high school baseball injury. That's just terrifying to me. I think saying it will always be here, there's nothing we can do about it, it will never stop is the wrong answer. I think there need to be more awareness. More education and the right kind of education. "Say no to drugs" is not enough. Some times drugs ARE necessary, but here is the proper way to use them when you have to, signs to look for, etc. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change . | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 1:59 PM I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change .
No flaming from me, you spoke the truth  | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 1:59 PM
I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change .
I agree. We have a couple of addicts in the family and these were not abused children, or low income but they did have common denominators - parents who didn't follow through with consequences, made excuses for the kids and one never helped them find any interests outside of those stupid video games and the other didn't want to support anything but showing cattle. I feel like these things contributed to lack of mental strength when they needed it. | |
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Location: Middle TN | Southtxponygirl - 2018-03-05 3:13 PM
BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 1:59 PM I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change .
No flaming from me, you spoke the truth
Right!!! I had to struggle through 2 major surgeries to not get addicted in the past few years. I had to ask myself - is this real pain or phantom want a pill pain??? With God's help I focused back on my dream of barrel racing. I think part of the problem is so many of the addicts and people in general don't have dreams - ask the next person you see - what their dream is. They usually answer - I don't know... I may not get to run down the alley at the Thomas & Mack but I still put it on my yearly goal sheet. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 11:59 AM I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change .
Totally agree with this!! My ex is/was really addicted to pills... after 5 years I finally left him. He dealt with different addictions off & on. It was the pills though, that he got hooked on the most. He straight up told meone day, "I have people willing to help me and pay for me to go to rehab, but I'm just not ready to stop". So he definitely knew good & well. He knew it was also ruining our relationship-still wouldn't give it up.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | ShackinBarrelRacer - 2018-03-06 4:06 PM Southtxponygirl - 2018-03-05 3:13 PM BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 1:59 PM I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change . No flaming from me, you spoke the truth Right!!! I had to struggle through 2 major surgeries to not get addicted in the past few years. I had to ask myself - is this real pain or phantom want a pill pain??? With God's help I focused back on my dream of barrel racing. I think part of the problem is so many of the addicts and people in general don't have dreams - ask the next person you see - what their dream is. They usually answer - I don't know... I may not get to run down the alley at the Thomas & Mack but I still put it on my yearly goal sheet.
Good for you, You have a strong will power  , my opinion is the ones that do get hooked are very weak minded. My bother in law was a weak bum never wanted to work but sure did come up with money for his drugs and I do know where alot of his drug money came from. I think he's clean now adays, but sure is paying for all the drugs he did in his younger days with his health, hes got alot of heart issues..But I dont feel sorry for him one bit. | |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | It is not like the information about drug addiction and the consequences is not out there and readily available. The education is practically shoved down the publics throats and yet people who appear to be reasonably intelligent fall into the trap. I guess I will always struggle to understand. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
| I live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the meth is really bad here. We've been robbed and so have our neighbors to support their drug habit. I now sleep with a gun beside my bed and have mean dogs. We've never locked our doors but do now every time we leave the house. I also keep all my tack locked up. | |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | ShackinBarrelRacer - 2018-03-06 4:06 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2018-03-05 3:13 PM
BS Hauler - 2018-03-06 1:59 PM I know I am going to get flamed for this. But if people are not mentally strong enough to figure out what they are doing to themselves then maybe its just God's way of having them come home to him. It is heartbreaking to see this happening to people. But there is only one person that is going to fix this and that is the one looking back at them in the mirror. They have to " Want" to change .
No flaming from me, you spoke the truth
Right!!! I had to struggle through 2 major surgeries to not get addicted in the past few years. I had to ask myself - is this real pain or phantom want a pill pain??? With God's help I focused back on my dream of barrel racing. I think part of the problem is so many of the addicts and people in general don't have dreams - ask the next person you see - what their dream is. They usually answer - I don't know... I may not get to run down the alley at the Thomas & Mack but I still put it on my yearly goal sheet.
At about the 3 week mark in the hospital after my wreck, the doctors told my parents they needed to talk to me about my medicine---I was refusing to take pain medication or sleeping pills. I was terrified I would get hooked. I had just turned 17, and I knew enough people that were fairly heavy (street) drug users; I never wanted to be in that situation and give the excuse "but they were prescribed". They said my body needed to rest in order to heal. I did take some of the pain meds, but I never did agree to the sleeping pills. I went home after two months, but the only time I took a pain pill was before going to PT. And I'll be honest, I don't know how I would have gotten thru those sessions without one. I don't know the answers by any means, but the drug situation in the world truly is one of the things that scares me to death where my child is concerned. . . . | |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I wish states wouldn't pass laws stating anybody can buy Narcan......just giving those "users" the mindset that someone will always be already to push the narcan saving their lives so they can continue to use SMH | |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | There are many reasons for the opioid epidemic, and plenty of blame to go around.
First, we’ve been losing the “War on drugs” since it’s inception back nearly 40 years ago.
Second, like so many other things, the decline of the family unit plays a big role.
Third, we are losing the battle against criminal trafficking, including the battle against the drug cartels, illegal immigration, and so forth.
Fourth, and maybe most importantly, I blame my own profession.
We cave to pressures to prescribe narcotics on demand. If we resist, we are castigated, both by many of our peers, as well as many in the lay public. Drug-seeking people are very clever and resourceful. They know all the tricks. We have turned a blind eye to the role of pharmaceutical companies in this mess.
In a strange way, I think states like Colorado, Oregon, and California will provide us with a ton of real data on the impact of marijuana legalization. I’m not saying it’s a good thing. I’m saying we ought to be able to determine the impact of marijuana, academically, psychologically, financially, road fatality, job performance, as a bridge to opiate use and addiction, and so forth. I expect long term data will provide us with a lot of useful information.
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I agree with you Bear. I think that the Pharmacitcal industry is more about money and how many people they can get hooked on stuff than it is about really helping people. Everything is about take a pill and your life will be perfect. | |
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 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | Bear - 2018-03-07 9:34 AM There are many reasons for the opioid epidemic, and plenty of blame to go around. First, we’ve been losing the “War on drugs” since it’s inception back nearly 40 years ago. Second, like so many other things, the decline of the family unit plays a big role. Third, we are losing the battle against criminal trafficking, including the battle against the drug cartels, illegal immigration, and so forth. Fourth, and maybe most importantly, I blame my own profession. We cave to pressures to prescribe narcotics on demand. If we resist, we are castigated, both by many of our peers, as well as many in the lay public. Drug-seeking people are very clever and resourceful. They know all the tricks. We have turned a blind eye to the role of pharmaceutical companies in this mess. In a strange way, I think states like Colorado, Oregon, and California will provide us with a ton of real data on the impact of marijuana legalization. I’m not saying it’s a good thing. I’m saying we ought to be able to determine the impact of marijuana, academically, psychologically, financially, road fatality, job performance, as a bridge to opiate use and addiction, and so forth. I expect long term data will provide us with a lot of useful information.
Bear another poster brings up the Narcan situation. With our area every police officer and emt is packing narcan and anyone can pick it up at the pharmacy for free. How is it this drug is being handed out at no cost vs the outragous cost of life saving drugs such as epi pens and insulin? Im very curious what your view is on this. | |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | luluwhit - 2018-03-08 3:46 PM Bear - 2018-03-07 9:34 AM There are many reasons for the opioid epidemic, and plenty of blame to go around. First, we’ve been losing the “War on drugs” since it’s inception back nearly 40 years ago. Second, like so many other things, the decline of the family unit plays a big role. Third, we are losing the battle against criminal trafficking, including the battle against the drug cartels, illegal immigration, and so forth. Fourth, and maybe most importantly, I blame my own profession. We cave to pressures to prescribe narcotics on demand. If we resist, we are castigated, both by many of our peers, as well as many in the lay public. Drug-seeking people are very clever and resourceful. They know all the tricks. We have turned a blind eye to the role of pharmaceutical companies in this mess. In a strange way, I think states like Colorado, Oregon, and California will provide us with a ton of real data on the impact of marijuana legalization. I’m not saying it’s a good thing. I’m saying we ought to be able to determine the impact of marijuana, academically, psychologically, financially, road fatality, job performance, as a bridge to opiate use and addiction, and so forth. I expect long term data will provide us with a lot of useful information. Bear another poster brings up the Narcan situation. With our area every police officer and emt is packing narcan and anyone can pick it up at the pharmacy for free. How is it this drug is being handed out at no cost vs the outragous cost of life saving drugs such as epi pens and insulin? Im very curious what your view is on this.
The same situation I hate where they have herion stations in some cities. They give it to them free.
Why not cancer drugs for free instead of that crap?
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I’m not sure about the free narcan. It’s indicated in cases where someone is in a comatose or near comatose state, particularly if there’s respiratory depression. If it is opioid induced, narcan can quickly reverse it. There are potential risks as well, such as precipitating acute full blown withdrawal syndrome. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 141
| Decriminalize drugs.
Throwing people in jail over a drug violation is just crazy. This is one of the main reasons for single parent families and grandparents raising their grand kids. Plus it gives an excuse for govt officials to trample individual rights and the constitution.
If we cant keep drugs out of the prison system how can we keep it off the streets? | |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | joemama - 2018-03-08 5:08 PM
Decriminalize drugs.
Throwing people in jail over a drug violation is just crazy. This is one of the main reasons for single parent families and grandparents raising their grand kids. Plus it gives an excuse for govt officials to trample individual rights and the constitution.
If we cant keep drugs out of the prison system how can we keep it off the streets?
Which drugs?
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| I forgot to check BHW! Been super busy. I'm glad this is being talked about. Unfortunately it is kind of God's way of natural selection and people from all walks of life fall into the grips of addiction. But I do have to say s**tty environments don't help anything and I feel sorry for these children that grow up in this never ending cycle. It's a whole mentality issue that's plaguing certain areas, especially in WV. Hoplessness from unemployment, no education, poverty, etc just causes this sick cycle of dependence on drugs, alcohol, and welfare. Why work a minimum wage job and BARELY pay your bills when welfare will pay them? I definitely think people have to own up to some extent but my fear is the mentality that gets them into this in the first place, and how it's taking over places like WV. I know some aren't for marijuana legalization but maybe it would help those come off of drugs, and give certain people something to have instead of hard drugs. Maybe it'd create agri-tourism and a booming agriculture industry in the state, medicinal uses for veterans, and be cohesive with the natural geographical tourist points in WV and renew the term "Wild and Wonderful" (good point my sister made). Anyway. I went on a rant. But a mentaility change needs to happen..I pray God can do something or maybe this is his plan? | |
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| When opioids were first prescribed for pain management, they were being advertised as “non-addictive”, and now the pharmaceutical companies are finally realizing what a terrible thing they’ve done, but as has already been stated, it’s all about money for them. In my opinion, a lot of the initial blame should be placed on them, but when people aren’t smart or strong enough to keep themselves from getting hooked, then it really makes you wonder who is at fault. In Seattle, and I think San Fran and maybe a couple other cities, they now have “safe injection spaces” where you bring your drugs, they test them and make sure they’re not laced with anything “that can kill you” (like the heroin can’t???), and give you a clean needle to shoot up with, plus they have narcan on site in case you OD. I am so frustrated with this enabling, it does nothing to decrease the drug epidemic in our country.
I work in LE and part of our county includes a reservation, and I can tell you that the increase in violent crimes in recent years has been due, in a large part, to drugs. Marijuana is legal in Washington, but we still have people buying and selling it on a black market. Plus we can always tell when new shipments of meth arrive, people lose their minds. It’s an awful tragedy.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-03-08 8:07 PM
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | madredepeanut - 2018-03-08 8:06 PM
When opioids were first prescribed for pain management, they were being advertised as “non-addictive”, and now the pharmaceutical companies are finally realizing what a terrible thing they’ve done, but as has already been stated, it’s all about money for them. In my opinion, a lot of the initial blame should be placed on them, but when people aren’t smart or strong enough to keep themselves from getting hooked, then it really makes you wonder who is at fault. In Seattle, and I think San Fran and maybe a couple other cities, they now have “safe injection spaces” where you bring your drugs, they test them and make sure they’re not laced with anything “that can kill you” (like the heroin can’t???), and give you a clean needle to shoot up with, plus they have narcan on site in case you OD. I am so frustrated with this enabling, it does nothing to decrease the drug epidemic in our country.
I work in LE and part of our county includes a reservation, and I can tell you that the increase in violent crimes in recent years has been due, in a large part, to drugs. Marijuana is legal in Washington, but we still have people buying and selling it on a black market. Plus we can always tell when new shipments of meth arrive, people lose their minds. It’s an awful tragedy.
I have never in all my born days heard of such--letting someone shoot up right there like they're dropping in for coffee??? Help me Lord, what have we become??? | |
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| Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-09 8:07 PM
madredepeanut - 2018-03-08 8:06 PM
When opioids were first prescribed for pain management, they were being advertised as “non-addictive”, and now the pharmaceutical companies are finally realizing what a terrible thing they’ve done, but as has already been stated, it’s all about money for them. In my opinion, a lot of the initial blame should be placed on them, but when people aren’t smart or strong enough to keep themselves from getting hooked, then it really makes you wonder who is at fault. In Seattle, and I think San Fran and maybe a couple other cities, they now have “safe injection spaces” where you bring your drugs, they test them and make sure they’re not laced with anything “that can kill you” (like the heroin can’t???), and give you a clean needle to shoot up with, plus they have narcan on site in case you OD. I am so frustrated with this enabling, it does nothing to decrease the drug epidemic in our country.
I work in LE and part of our county includes a reservation, and I can tell you that the increase in violent crimes in recent years has been due, in a large part, to drugs. Marijuana is legal in Washington, but we still have people buying and selling it on a black market. Plus we can always tell when new shipments of meth arrive, people lose their minds. It’s an awful tragedy.
I have never in all my born days heard of such--letting someone shoot up right there like they're dropping in for coffee??? Help me Lord, what have we become???
https://baartprograms.com/heroin-addiction-safe-injection-sites/
 It makes my blood boil just thinking about it. | |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | madredepeanut - 2018-03-09 10:18 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2018-03-09 8:07 PM
madredepeanut - 2018-03-08 8:06 PM
When opioids were first prescribed for pain management, they were being advertised as “non-addictive”, and now the pharmaceutical companies are finally realizing what a terrible thing they’ve done, but as has already been stated, it’s all about money for them. In my opinion, a lot of the initial blame should be placed on them, but when people aren’t smart or strong enough to keep themselves from getting hooked, then it really makes you wonder who is at fault. In Seattle, and I think San Fran and maybe a couple other cities, they now have “safe injection spaces” where you bring your drugs, they test them and make sure they’re not laced with anything “that can kill you” (like the heroin can’t???), and give you a clean needle to shoot up with, plus they have narcan on site in case you OD. I am so frustrated with this enabling, it does nothing to decrease the drug epidemic in our country.
I work in LE and part of our county includes a reservation, and I can tell you that the increase in violent crimes in recent years has been due, in a large part, to drugs. Marijuana is legal in Washington, but we still have people buying and selling it on a black market. Plus we can always tell when new shipments of meth arrive, people lose their minds. It’s an awful tragedy.
I have never in all my born days heard of such--letting someone shoot up right there like they're dropping in for coffee??? Help me Lord, what have we become??? It makes my blood boil just thinking about it.
You have opened my eyes---I feel very naive right now. . . . | |
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OT-drug epidemic