Last updated : November 11, 2024
Substance abuse is a major problem in every part of the world. People turn to drugs and alcohol for many reasons. Some seek the euphoric state of a high to escape the harsh realities of life. Others are pressured by their friends to experiment. No matter what the reason, drug and alcohol abuse is something that can only lead to more pain. The soothing effects of drugs are only temporary, and those who rely on them for happiness will only face sore disappointment in the end. While most drug users turn to marijuana to get their high, others prefer prescription painkillers to end their suffering.
How big of a problem is pain pill abuse?
According to a new global study on drug abuse, more than 78,000 deaths in 2010 could be attributed to illegal drug use. Over half of all those deaths were the result of painkiller abuse. This research suggests that pain pill abuse is a far bigger problem than most of us think.
What are the most commonly abused pain pills?
- VICODIN – This prescription pain reliever contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It’s commonly used to treat moderate to severe physical pains, and is also known by the commercial names of Anexsia, Lortab, Maxidone, Xodol, Zamicet, and more. Regular use of Vicodin can cause addiction because of the hydrocodone in it. Users may experience mild to severe side effects with prescribed dosages, and overdose can lead to serious injury or death.
- OXYCODONE – This addicting narcotic is also used to treat moderate to severe pain. Extended-release variants of the drug are meant to be used for chronic pain, and it’s also known commercially as Dazidox, OxyCONTIN, Percolone, Roxicodone Intensol, M-Oxy, and more.
- PERCOCET – This opioid is comprised of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Like the others, relief of moderate to severe pain is its primary purpose. Percocet can lead to addiction with prolonged use, and overdose is often serious.
Why does it matter that people are abusing pain meds?
Painkiller abusers could be anybody. These addicts could be servers, bus drivers, construction workers, politicians, athletes, and more. From Denver South to New York City, painkiller abusers are everywhere. While on a pain pill high, these individuals could be operating a motor vehicle, erecting a building, or doing countless other activities that can get other innocent people seriously hurt or killed. You and your loved ones can become victim to the hazardous behaviors of drug abusers who you trust and respect–people like pastors, police officers, or teachers. High bus drivers can lose control and crash into pedestrians, other vehicles, and other structures. High teachers can verbally or physically assault students in their classrooms. High construction workers can build faulty structures that could collapse and kill plenty of innocents. High politicians can make irrational decisions that could affect the lives of thousands of people. You get the idea. Pain pill addicts don’t only harm themselves, they also harm others–and that’s unacceptable.
Even when substance addicts and abusers don’t physically harm people, they can negatively affect everything around them in other ways. Take workers who are under the influence of drugs. These people can come into the office high and completely out of their minds. They would be unproductive and probably disruptive as well, decreasing the productivity of other employees. Poor customer service, an increase in technical errors, and longer completion times are just a few consequences of having high employees in the workplace–and that’s if they decide to show up. All of this translates to a loss of profit for the business and an ultimate detriment to the economy. Employers are wasting their time and money on drug abusing workers. If these individuals don’t care about their own health and safety, would they really care about the well-being of a company, its employees, and its owners?
What can be done about all of this?
Drug abusers and addicts are a menace to society, but employers can take a stand to decrease the damage that they wreak on everyone else. By making it mandatory for all new hires to undergo drug testing, you would be making the workplace safer and more conducive to getting work done. Nobody wants to see a bus full of children transform into a mangled mess of metal. Nobody wants a tyrannical law to get passed as a result of some brain-dead Senator. Nobody wants to lose a mother, father, brother, sister, or friend to a pill. Help make society a safer place to live by enforcing drug testing in the workplace. USA Mobile Drug Testing offers comprehensive drug testing services to all types of employers.
