| The Dangerous Side of Prescription Drugs By: Rebekah Maple Michael Jackson did it. Heath Ledger did it. So did Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Anna Nicole Smith to name a few. Unfortunately, the cause that links these celebrities to one another is the misuse of prescription drugs resulting in their deaths and they only represent a tiny number of the hundreds of movie stars, rock stars and TV stars that have died from prescription drug abuse. While it is extremely common to hear about the drugs in Hollywood, it does not just happen there. The 48-year-old Ohio Northern University graduate Leslie Schneider suffered many consequences from misusing prescription medications. She was actually bombarded with these drugs every day because she worked behind the counter as a pharmacist. After working nine years after college, her arthritis pain and migraine headaches got the best of her. Schneider began stealing the muscle relaxer, Soma; a narcotic pain reliever, Vicodin and headache pain reliever and narcotic, Fiorinal with codeine to ease the pain. Two years passed before the pharmacy’s surveillance cameras caught her actions on tape. Schneider was immediately dismissed from her job and had to turn herself in to the police. Since this was her first offense and because her record was so exemplary, the judge did not convict her of a felony. Instead, he made her pay restitution for what she owed to the pharmacy, go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings three times a week for two years and give urine samples at any time without notification. With a 3-year-old, 6-year-old and husband at home, she was grateful she didn’t go to jail. Instead, she worked hard to raise her children and get over the addiction. “Unlike most people, I didn’t have withdrawal symptoms,” she said. “I didn’t sleep for about a week, but that was the extent of withdrawal.” Schneider said the reason she did not get her pharmacy license back was not because she couldn't. She wanted to focus on her children and repair her relationship with her husband that she almost lost. Schneider spoke publicly about her addiction and gave advice on how to overcome the problem and avoid becoming a victim. “Pain is very imprecise,” she said. “You don’t bleed or break out in a rash, so make sure you have a support system of people who love you and understand that what you’re going through is real.” Fortunately Schneider’s story is one that she lives to retell, unlike the celebrities above that died because of misusing prescriptions. The problem is real, but it is very avoidable. A good way to avoid becoming a victim of drug abuse is to talk to close friends and family if you think there may be an addiction problem. They will want to help you and can hold you accountable for the drugs you are taking. They will also be able to talk about why you are abusing the medication and ways to fix it. They may even want you to talk to a counselor to find the root of the problem. If you are cooperative, the end result will be a success. Also, never take anyone else’s prescription medications despite what others may be doing and let your doctor know how you are feeling on the ones prescribed to you. If for some reason you feel like you are becoming addicted, let someone know right away. The doctor will be able to prescribe you something else. If you are worried that a drug may be addictive, ask your doctor about the side effects and talk about alternatives. Only stay on a medication for as long as the doctor says. He or she knows what is good for your health and will guide you to recovery. Usually the doctor will only prescribe what you need, so there will be no leftovers. These steps can help you if a problem does arise. Communication is crucial because there are people who can help you, especially loved ones. |
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