Generation RX: The Silent Pharma Bubble

Today is the first complete week of the April Blogging Challenge. Today's letter is G. My post today was originally written as an Up For Discussion Post. It's been in my Draft Folder for a few months. I decided to post about it today. This post is about the least talked about of the pharma bubble. Due to the attention of the heroin epidemic, many do not realize we had a silent pharma bubble. Why does it not get attention?

The question today is, have you or your children took a drug given for A.D.D. or A.D.H.D.? Have you ever wondered about these types of drugs? Do you think there is a problem in this country with overuse and over prescribing of these types of the amphetamine drugs? Read more about meth's baby sister.

So just how many of the GEN Y who are addicted to heroin were given Ritalin and/or Adderall as young children? Did you know that these types of drugs are referred to in some circles as, a slippery slope? Did you know that these drugs are more popular among high school and college kids at pharm parties? Did you know that Adderall and other drugs prescribed for focus are nothing more than crystal meth's baby sister? What if you heard that these drugs were never intended to be used in young children would you think twice about it?

While our focus is all about the heroin epidemic, and the heroin, and the opiates, and the overdoses of this drug which is killing people we are forgetting all about this same generation-the GEN Y and Ritalin and Adderall and all the drugs out there for those who couldn't function or stay in their seat in school.

Parents across this country every day are forced into making a decision every day about their child/children. I wonder, are parents being forced into commercialized pharma rather than on scientific reasons. The lowering of the age of the Attention Deficit and the Hyperactive children is still happening in the school systems all over the U.S. Children as young as preschool age are now being given these highly controversial drugs. Parents who are faced with threats are not giving these drugs a second look. In 1987 my oldest child's school did this to us. I stood my ground.

School teachers and school personnel took on a new role in the late 80's and early 90's. They were able to diagnose ADD and ADHD and then force parents to put their children on it. Most of the children were first given these drugs in kindergarten. No consideration was ever given that kindergartners have never been in a school setting. No consideration was given that those children were between the ages of 5-6 years of age and were behaving normally for children of that age group.

Let me tell you a little about these types of drugs-

In case you weren't aware the drugs given for ADD and ADHA are amphetamine-based drugs.  Amphetamine on the streets used to be called, speed or uppers. More common slang these days is Bennies, Black Beauties, Dexies, Beans. You may have heard of crank, Ice, Crystal Meth and Meth. These ADD and ADHD drugs are given legally for "problems with focusing" are derived from
amphetamines.

The effects of the drugs on the central nervous system are similar to effects of cocaine, but they tend to last longer (4 to 6 hours, depending on dose and potency).

In case you haven't heard an overdose of these just like any drugs can be fatal just like heroin and other drugs.

While the list of side effects is long the very last side effect mentioned which is actually a warning: Adderall is habit forming, and chronic use may lead to dependence.

Did you know that the symptoms of withdrawal from these drugs are the same as withdrawal from heroin? These drugs also just like heroin tease the brain, This effect, in turn, leads to increased neurotransmission of dopamine.

Today, Adderall passes marijuana as the new college age party drug of choice. Watch this short 8-minute video and listen to some young students talk about getting their Adderall and how easy it is to get. Listen to them talk about this "party drug" like they are talking about the weather. It may just change your opinion on these drugs.


I had my own experience with the oldest child when his school tried to force me into putting him on Ritalin in Kindergarten. (Long Story)

What I know now about this heroin epidemic and big pharma is that doctors got kickbacks from prescribing pain meds in the 80's. Doctors, hospitals, and politicians got rich off of the big pharma. Despite all that we know about the slippery slopes, about addiction, huge pharma, and this epidemic haven't we learned any lessons? While we have spent so much time looking at and scrutinizing over what Oxycontin and pain killers era of the 80's that we are overlooking Adderall and Ritalin.

My post in a few days is about the heroin epidemic and opioid crisis our country faces today. While our focus is on that, this little know crisis with these psychotropic drugs given to those with the "I can't focus" are quickly climbing to a crisis as great as the heroin epidemic.

In our circles, it's called the pay to play. I now wonder about big pharma and schools- who got the kickbacks in the pay to play in the 90's? The schools who diagnosed the problem without medical degrees? OR, the physicians who wrote the prescriptions? Despite all of the dangers of these drugs that we know about many school systems work with government agencies that force parents into drugging their children, threatening those who refuse with the prospect of having their children taken from the home unless they cooperate.

That is why I chose to talk about this today. Do you think they will ever learn? So now it's your turn. What do you think? Leave a comment

You may also wish to read:

They Are Drugging Our Children
Generation Rx
Learn More About the "Study Pills"

I hope you come back on Monday to read about a local group The Hope Dealer Project. These three ladies are doing some remarkable things in our community. They are helping those who want treatment find their way. 

Credits For this Post:
video from youtube
Generation Rx
Information found @ wiki Adderall and Ritalin
Frontline: ADHD Lawsuits
Letter pic Blogging A-Z

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