Pharmaceuticals: The Next Frontier in America's War on DrugsWritten by David Westbrook
Pharmaceuticals: The Next Frontier in America's War on DrugsAmerica's war on drugs, which has been fought in opium fields of Afghanistan and cocaine plantations of Columbia, will have to reinvent itself to combat what is set to be America's biggest drug abuse problem, pharmaceuticals. One in five American's, nearly 48 million, have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes at least once in their lives. The current past month misuse rate among Americans is 6.2 million. According to a recent white paper by Carnevale Associates, this rate of use is already higher than historical highs of both cocaine and heroin epidemics. For some, road to illicit use of prescription medications starts innocently. After a car accident, back injury, or, even, a mental/emotional breakdown a physician prescribes medication for a legitimate use. Over time, tolerance builds up so that more and more of drug is needed until a state of dependence is reached. At this point, there is no easy way to get off drug, and stopping can involve painful withdrawal symptoms. Some doctors have been known to become afraid and cut their patients off at this point. Patients have been known to steal prescription pads, or visit numerous doctors to get drugs they have become addicted to. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not older adults or any adults who are most likely to abuse pharmaceuticals. In past decade, abuse of prescription meds among youth has been growing at an alarming first-time use rate of more than fifty percent each year. In 2002, latest year for which there are statistics, approximately 2.5 million American's misused prescriptions for first time and 44% of them were under age of 18. Unfortunately, as media fixes its gaze on methamphetamine problem; and Office of National Drug Control Policy spends much of its time focusing on Marijuana opportunity to address pharmaceutical addiction and abuse is being missed. While certain steps have been taken they have been tentative. The ONDCP has drawn up a strategy for addressing synthetic drugs, but no serious media campaign to educate Americans about problem has been undertaken. Nor has any pharmaceutical company been brought to heel for manufacturing drugs with high abuse potential even when alternatives may exist. The next battle in America's war on drugs must draw a bead on pharmaceuticals. The ONDCP must be willing to launch same type of hard hitting ad campaigns against prescription drug abuse as it has against, marijuana, ecstasy and cocaine. The FDA must not be afraid to sanction drug manufacturers who continue to make unsafe drugs where safe alternatives exist. Pharmaceutical manufactures must become better citizens and spend research and development dollars to make safe and effective drugs, rather than taking easy way out.
| | The Benefits of Green TeaWritten by Granny's Mettle
Green tea's popularity in United States continues to grow as number of new medical studies increase, showing that green tea is a rich and natural source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect body from accelerated ageing and increased risk of major diseases.Medical Benefits: Among many medical benefits of green tea, here are a few diseases that green tea is reputably able to prevent from occurring: (1) cancer, (2) rheumatoid arthritis, (3) high cholesterol, (4) cardiovascular disease, (5) infection, and (6) impaired immune function. The last ten years have seen wide support of green tea's cancer-preventive effects from various medical studies and research. Many studies have shown that green tea possesses antioxidant properties. In a study published in November 2004, in an issue of Mutation Research, it was found out that leaves' effects are 120% stronger than those of vitamin C. In addition, it helps starve cancer by inhibiting development of new blood vessels. The blood vessels are known to supply cancer cells with nutrients. Without them, cancer cells would not be able to increase its strength, thus, reducing its effect on body. In 1994, Journal of National Cancer Institute published results of a study indicating that drinking green tea reduced risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly 60%. On other hand, researchers from University of Purdue made conclusions from their study that a compound in green tea reduces growth of cancer cells. In addition, another research indicated its effects of lowering total cholesterol levels, as well as improve growth of good cholesterol in body. Green tea is also known to lower blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension. In a study published in an issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, it was found out that among persons consuming tea regularly for at least one year, risk of developing high blood pressure was 46% lower among those who drank ½ cup to 2 ½ cups per day. And for those consuming more than 2 ½ cups per day, there is 65% less risk.
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