Up For Discussion: What Do You Think About OxyContin For Chidlren?

I am trying to find a good day in which to post my "controversial" up for discussion posts. I love that someone added the word controversy to these debates and discussion posts. However, let me remind those people that nothing about this heroin epidemic is controversy. So, I really don't understand the word being associated with my posts, but whatever!

On Aug. 13, 2015 it was announced that the FDA approved the use of OxyContin in children ages 11 to 16 with severe pain, the agency says on its web site.

The FDA says,


"The child’s pain must be severe enough to require around-the-clock, long-term treatment and not managed well by other treatments."

What Is OxyContin?

Most commonly known by the FDA as, OxyContin is the brand name for a time-release formula of oxycodone, a narcotic painkiller.

In 1996, Purdue Pharma introduced OxyContin, a controlled release formulation of oxycodone. The product has been a commercial success, and since its introduction, Purdue has earned more than $31 billion from OxyContin.

In those early years Purdue peddled OxyContin telling physicians it isn't addictive. We later found that not to be true. We now know that OxyContin and other prescribed narcotic pain meds are the gateway to heroin addiction.

Large pharma companies and physicians are why we are here in this heroin epidemic today!

What Do I Think?

This is just my opinion. When I heard this in the news several years ago my first thought was, Have they lost their ever loving minds?

The more I thought about it other questions and concerns came to mind about this drug which we know from the mid to late is the gateway drug to heroin abuse. One concern is,

How many parents will abuse this drug prescribed to their child?

I mean come on. We all know people like that. I do! I call them the closeted addict because their secret is hidden, from even physicians. They often will even use their own children to seek out pain medications.

I have had arguments with a family member over the whole debate of addiction is addiction. Closeted addicts are addicts. There is no in-between. There is no black or white or blue or gray line. An addict is an addict.

That family member argues, "Oh but so and so goes to work everyday."

Yeah, in the addiction world we call those types, functioning addicts. I hate to burst your bubble on this one but, in the beginning all people can function. Until they can't. Something happens like a job loss or loss of insurance and BOOM!!! When they can't get their prescriptions anymore, the bottom drops out.

I know a closeted addict who if that person hears that me or someone close to me has an injury they don't call up to ask how you're doing? Oh no! That person will call to ask what the doctor prescribed. Tell that person your prescriptions and that person will then offer to buy your meds.

How many young teenagers first started with prescription pills?

My guess is this answer is easy- All of them!

It is also no big secret. Teenagers have admitted it. They have admitted that they themselves or someone they know has stolen prescription meds from parents and grandparents.

Pills is the big party drug these days among teenagers as well as college students. It's already known. There is a huge party. Everyone brings some pills. The pills are dumped into a bowl and they become kids in the candy shop. Halloween at every party. Trick or Treat?

For college students it is also known it is easier for them to be prescribed medications used for Attention Deficit Disorder. All they have to tell the doctor is that they have trouble focusing, or they have trouble concentrating, trouble with sleep disorders and BOOM! They are prescribed stimulants. We know these drugs as Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Focalin just to name a few.

Some other facts...

OxyContin and other narcotics are analgesic. Their effect on pain lasts for approximately two months. If you are taking it for much longer then chances are you are physically and mentally addicted to it.

Now It's Your Turn...

I am wondering how you feel about this...

What do you think about OxyContin for children and teens? Do you think this is a good idea or not? Why or Why not? Would you allow your young child to take OxyContin?

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Thank You to those reading! You guys are amazing!


Other Links:

FDA And Prescribing OxyContin For Pediatric Patients

Abuse and OxyContin

WEB-MD

OxyContin Wiki

pic found @ flickr
post written by: © 2016 Gossip Girl