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I stumbled across this while reading Gawker: “Teen socialite” Peaches Geldof says the staff at the fashion magazine Nylon prefer prescription drugs over illegal drugs –
What’s the drug of choice at Nylon? “Klonopin.†Peaches was definitely the talky one. Why? “It’s just a very large prescription drug culture. 
This confirms our highly anecdotal evidence of Klonopin as a mini-trend for the creative underclass, maybe better than Xanax—not that our shrink is offering to prescribe us any despite repeated inquiries.
Klonopin, classified as a “sedative-hypnotic,” is prescribed for epilepsy, panic and anxiety disorders, restless legs syndrome and other medical conditions. Unfortunately, such drugs are too easily obtained by young people, who often start taking them by raiding their parents’ medicine cabinets.
As Ritch Wagner of Purdue Pharma (OxyContin), who educates medical professionals and law enforcement officials about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, describes the growing problem:
More prescription drugs are creeping up the list of the 20 most widely abused substances, Wagner said, including the painkiller hydrocodone and methadone, a narcotic commonly used to treat heroin addiction that is now used to treat pain.
Abusers are beginning to learn it can “be more advantageous” to use prescription drugs to get high than drugs such as meth, cocaine and heroin. They are easier to obtain, and people think they are safe because doctors prescribe them.
“In my day and age, it was how many of Dad’s beers we can sneak out of the fridge,” Wagner said. “Now, it’s how many pills can I get out of the medicine cabinet.”
Wagner said children are taking whatever pills they can get their hands on, throwing them into a bowl and taking a handful. They’re called punch-bowl or grab-bag parties.
I think what really struck me about these stories was Geldof’s use of the term “prescription drug culture.” I hadn’t heard the term before.
My immediate reaction was to compare it to the “drug culture” of the ’60s and early ’70s, which we relate to young people — specifically, “hippies.” But upon reflection, the “prescription drug culture” isn’t confined to the young in our country today. It’s pervasive.
It starts with the billions of dollars in advertising that pharmaceutical companies spend to get us to stock our medicine cabinets with drugs — drugs that we might or might not really need.
Before the recent advertising campaign, for example, I’m guessing you’d never even heard of restless legs syndrome — let alone gone to the doctor and asked for Klonopin or Mirapex. The medical use of drugs like Xanax and Prozac have gone through the roof among adults of all ages. And don’t you suspect the Viva Viagra! advertising campaign has made Viagra an object of curiosity not only among middle-aged men, but among teenage boys?
When a teenager’s parents, as well as all of his or her friends’ parents, are stocking the medicine cabinet with these drugs, don’t you think what happens next is almost inevitable?
So, how do we solve the problem? Frankly, as I’ve stated here before, I would put an end to direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies.
Others may disagree with this approach, and that’s fine. But however we get there, we need to reach a point where we don’t expect a “pill for every ill.” Because if you believe there’s a pill for every ill, it’s a short step to believe that prescription drugs are the answer for everything — including having a good time at a party.
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- Series On Diseases, Organs, And Conditions: (Surgeonsblog)
- Annals of Medical Waste — Knee Arthroscopy (GoozNews)
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Some specific supporting examples provided in a press release:
- In 2004, John McCain Co-Sponsored Bipartisan Drug Reimportation Legislation. “At a press conference today, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) introduced breakthrough bipartisan, consensus prescription drug reimportation legislation, the Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act, with Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), John McCain (R-AZ), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Trent Lott (R-MS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).” (Sen. Olympia Snowe, Press Release, 4/21/04)
- A John McCain Bill To Make It Easier For Cheap Generic Drugs To Come Onto The Market Drew “Strong Opposition From The Pharmaceutical Industry.” “The most public front was active last week, with the Senate passing a bill intended to make it easier for cheap generic drugs to come onto the market. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., drew considerable support in Congress and strong opposition from the pharmaceutical industry.” (“Insurers’ ‘Counter’ Attacks Aim To Boost Generic Drugs,” Grand Rapid Press, 8/11/02)
- John McCain Fought To Allow The Importation Of Cheaper Drugs Which Was “Adamantly Opposed By Industry Lobbyists.” “McCain said he wanted the government to be able to negotiate lower drug prices and import cheaper drugs from Canada, both ideas that were adamantly opposed by industry lobbyists, and which ultimately failed.” (Eamon Javers, “Is John McCain Good For Business?” Business Week Online, 2/7/08)
When both the GOP candidate and the Democratic candidate have the same message regarding Big Pharma and, specifically, Canadian drug reimportation, it should be obvious why the pharmaceutical industry and its proxies have become so desperate to change public opinion — by scaring the public into thinking licensed Canadian pharmacies are somehow dangerous.
We’re cautiously optimistic that, this time, their cynical tactics won’t work.
For those of you who follow the Healthcare 100 rankings carefully, you’ve probably noticed that our Bloglines scores have been out of whack for a while now, with most blogs receiving a ranking of 1. We just wanted you to know we’re aware of the problem and are working to resolve it. Thanks to everyone who has called or sent e-mails about it.
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