The New Gateway Drug? It's Not Marijuana...

[boo7382]

That's right, its prescription pills.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Prescription drug abuse, now the fastest-growing drug problem in the country, has created a ballooning street market for highly-addictive pain relief, anxiety and depression drugs.

Prescription drug abuse is spreading nationwide, but it is particularly rampant in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and New York, federal officials say.

For decades, Marijuana was the gateway drug for first-time drug abusers in the United States. But two years ago, prescription drugs won that dubious distinction, according to Rusty Payne, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"It's a significant shift in trend," Payne said.

In 2009, there were seven million Americans abusing prescription pain and anxiety drugs, up 13% from the prior year, according to the most recent data from DEA. The agency expects 2010 numbers to show another double-digit increase.

And there's big money in it for criminals. The trafficking in prescription drugs is close to becoming a billion-dollar industry, industry experts say.

In Los Angeles, 80mg Oxycontin is the most popular drug on the street with addicts. A single pill can fetch $80 or more, said Sergeant Stephen Opferman of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Here's a sampling of the street prices for a single tablet of some commonly trafficked drugs, compared to their retail prices:

--Oxycontin: $50 to $80 on the street, vs. $6 when sold legally

--Oxycodone: $12 to $40 on the street, vs. $6 retail

--Hydrocodone: $5 to $20 vs. $1.50

--Percocet: $10 to $15 vs. $6

--Vicodin: $5 to $25 vs. $1.50

^^^weed is still a better bang for your buck :thumbsup:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/01/news/economy/prescription_drug_abuse/?section=money_latest

[j2sgam]

Never been a fan of pills... Was at a party a few years back and some people were taking "Special K" or Ketamine or cat tranquilizer. I walked by them and heard one say "You feel the way your heart stops? F_ckin cool, huh?" Yeah, no... Had buddies that used to snort Ritalin, again - no... Gimme some chronic over taht poo everyday...

[Zcustom]

Gateway drug is the worst concept ever IMO

Either you have an addictive personality or you don't, pretty simple.

Put every drug under the sun in front of me and I'll only toke a little, do that to some people I know and they'd be like Kris Jenkins at an all you can eat buffet...

[bleys]

pills have overtaken marijuana as the mystical "gateway" drug for years now..

^^^weed is still a better bang for your buck :thumbsup:

rep!

[Jangler]

America takes 80% of the painkillers taken in the world.

"Take a pill." has been the motto of America for years. But hey, they are legal so there is nothing wrong with it.

[j2sgam]

Put every drug under the sun in front of me and I'll only toke a little, do that to some people I know and they'd be like Kris Jenkins at an all you can eat buffet...

I had a real close friend that couldnt say no to anything. He's no longer with us because of that... :sad:

[Doyle]

I stay away from pills because I know I would get hooked too easily. Gimme my Vodka and weed and I'll be fine.

[boo7382]

Gateway drug is the worst concept ever IMO

Either you have an addictive personality or you don't, pretty simple.

Put every drug under the sun in front of me and I'll only toke a little, do that to some people I know and they'd be like Kris Jenkins at an all you can eat buffet...

this is very true. Never have believed the whole weed is a gateway drug thing. I have been smoking weed since high school and have never become addicted or dependent on anything more serious than cigs. Which I quit about 9 months ago.

Love weed. Drinking is pretty fun. Sometimes some things on the side depending on if I am going to a concert. Never have touched coke in my life.

When you really think about it though, cigarettes/alcohol are really the ultimate "gateway". Its the the same thing as weed, its only a gateway and experienced first because its the most prevalent and readily available.

Now that would be pills. Mom might not smoke cigs, drink, or smoke weed, but she's got a whole fuging medicine cabinet full of pills!

[bleys]

America takes 80% of the painkillers taken in the world.

"Take a pill." has been the motto of America for years. But hey, they are legal so there is nothing wrong with it.

exactly.. America.. where laws were created by the all-knowing, thus they must be right and just!

[strik9]

Pills are very dangerous, and unfortunately not new. I've been clean for about ten years now, but I still feel the need for the steal (needles). I've partied dang near all my life (and still do), but it was oxy's that killed me twice and took everything I loved. I thank god that I hit rock bottom, and had the strength to pick myself up. Not everybody is that strong, but pills are.

[boo7382]

Pills are very dangerous, and unfortunately not new. I've been clean for about ten years now, but I still feel the need for the steal (needles). I've partied dang near all my life (and still do), but it was oxy's that killed me twice and took everything I loved. I thank god that I hit rock bottom, and had the strength to pick myself up. Not everybody is that strong, but pills are.

Good for you. Congrats on the 10 yrs.

Ive watched a lot of people get stuck down that road and never come back with both pills and coke. They are both horrible and seeing those things are partly the reason I choose not to do them.

Sucks seeing it happen to people you love, but it sucks even more knowing there is nothing you can do for them but hope that they hit rock bottom very soon.

[strik9]

Good for you. Congrats on the 10 yrs.

Ive watched a lot of people get stuck down that road and never come back with both pills and coke. They are both horrible and seeing those things are partly the reason I choose not to do them.

Sucks seeing it happen to people you love, but it sucks even more knowing there is nothing you can do for them but hope that they hit rock bottom very soon.

No doubt. Speaking of watching people you love maybe the huddle can give me some advice...........

I have a cousin that is addicted to oxy's, and his mom (my Aunt) wants me to help him. I've talked to him, but I really don't feel like anything I say will help. I would/will do anything I can to help family.

My problem is that when I was growing up the same aunt viewed me as a worthless drug addict, my Mom as worthless, and my family as white trash. Forget all the problems (which there were several tragedies) we endured growing up, my family was white trash. Now that both her kids are on drugs she has no problems finding everything but her kids as the reason (even though many of the things that led to my and their drug use are the same).

So, as proud as I am that I'm now held in such light, I also find it offensive. After all the years of being looked at as lower class because of my family/drug use, she expects me to have pitty on her son because of all the extrenuous factors that led to his addiction. Kinda like it was my fault I was garbage, but its everyone and everything else's fault her son has a problem.

Any advice?

[bleys]

tough love is sometimes the best love. if you tell him your story, explain that you found a better path, and he still doesn't want help.. all you can say is when you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, I'm here for you.

from that point on, you need to explain to everyone around him that they need help too and that they can't do anything for him. get them in al-anon or the equivalent. To enable him is going to kill him faster and they need to truly understand that.

he's sick. but the family around him is just as sick. chances are highly likely they'll put up the same fight to help themselves as he will. if they do seek help, then you've done the best you can for that situation.

[bleys]

actually, having read further in your post, it's obvious your aunt is sick, like I was explaining.. until she understands that drug addiction has affected her in a negative way, she will continue to live in denial.

put normal people in a room and give them crack, they will become crackheads. she needs to understand that and not make excuses.

trouble is, just like her son, they both are going to have a huge uphill battle that exists between the ears. as those programs tell you, the only help will be from an outside power. for the grace of god, there go I.

honestly man... the best thing you can do is not let it rent space in your head. all you can do is try. chances are highly likely they won't listen. all you can do is repeat yourself over and over and be the example of hope that maybe they'll understand one day.