Pharm parties-Rx abuse

[AFK]

FWIW:  http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2005/250_oct12/party.html

That link states such parties exist, but provides no evidence. The quotes from teenagers basically say that they took prescription drugs and shared some with their friends, at parties. That's wildly different from mixing up random pills in a bowl and popping them like smarties. The former seems to be a real and pressing concern, the latter doesn't.

No.  They are different degrees.  The larger point is that kids are doing this, whether it is a bunch of kids or just two are three.  Kids are getting their hands on Rx drugs, that aren't for them, and are abusing them alone, and together. 

But moreover - if "pharm parties" are just another media invention, then stating them as fact seems likely to only inspire copy-cat incidences?

But it isn't an invention.  Is it exaggerated perhaps in some news stories for dramatic effect?  Sure, show me any news topic where that doesn't happen.  But it IS real. 

Mind you, I don't suppose that danger is high as market forces - the limited supply kids have to prescription drugs, and the different desirability of different drugs - makes it unlikely they'd just give away their stash anyway.

I can assure you, the supply is anything but limited. 

[AFK]

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2005/youth-trade-drugs-at-pharming.html

Prescribed Ritalin, OxyContin stolen from medicine cabinets at home, and other psychoactive prescription drugs are the stock in trade at so-called "pharming parties," where young people trade medicines and often mix pills with alcohol to get high.
Time reported July 24 that even as use of "hard" illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine has declined in recent years, abuse of narcotic painkillers and stimulants has skyrocketed. An estimated 2.3 million kids ages 12-17 abused legal medications last year, according to the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

"It's a hidden epidemic," says Dr. Nicholas Pace of New York University Medical Center. "Parents don't want to admit there's a problem out there."

At pharming parties like one recently held in suburban New Jersey, painkillers like OxyContin -- which can produce a strong high, but also present a great danger of overdose -- are highly valued. "If I have something good, like Oxycontin, it might be worth two or three Xanax," said a 17-year-old at the New Jersey party. "We rejoice when someone has a medical thing, like, gets their wisdom teeth out or has back pain, because we know we'll get pills. Last year I had gum surgery, and I thought, 'Well, at least I'll get painkillers.'"

Part of the allure of prescription drugs is that they can be easier for kids to get than illicit drugs. Some trade on their own prescriptions (obtained legitimately or by faking symptoms), while others steal from family members or order drugs from online pharmacies.

"When adults and medical professionals treat medications casually, we need not be surprised that adolescents are treating them casually," said Francis Hayden, director of the adolescent mental-health center at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

"My friend told me to save the painkillers for when I'm drinking or getting high," says the 17-year-old at the suburban party. "I know a lot of people who live by pills. They take a pill to wake them up, another pill to put them to sleep, one to make them hungry and another to stop the hunger. Pills can dictate your life -- I've seen it."

[Iason Ouabache]

RWHN, no one is saying that teenage prescription drug abuse is not a problem. It's well documented that kid have been abusing prescription pain killers for years now. What we are disputing is the fact that "pharm parties" are a common occurrence or an "epidemic". The idea of kids putting an assortment of pills in a bowl and popping them like candy seems very far fetched. There may be isolated incidents of that happening but there is a low probability of it being a common occurrence nationwide. It smells like media scare tactics that can often pull the focus off of the real problems that are happening. There's no reason to lie about something like this when the truth is just as scary.

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2005/youth-trade-drugs-at-pharming.html

Notice that the quotes from the girl doesn't say anything about pharm parties, just that her friends have been sharing prescription painkillers with one another. Subtle difference, but you have to admit that it's there.

[trippinprincezz13]

Again, not that I'm stating that these parties don't happen anytime, ever. But giving out OxyContin at these parties? They sell for pretty good money so I don't really see dealers just handing handfuls of these things around. Though, I have heard they're cheaper out west.  Percs and Vics maybe since they're not as strong/pure, but even then most people are going to try to make a buck out of it if they can.

Though, I still agree it's not good for kids to be doing, whether buying them from a dealer or getting them at a "party"

[Rumckle]

"My friend told me to save the painkillers for when I'm drinking or getting high," says the 17-year-old at the suburban party. "I know a lot of people who live by pills. They take a pill to wake them up, another pill to put them to sleep, one to make them hungry and another to stop the hunger. Pills can dictate your life -- I've seen it."

That sounds almost exactly like what was in one of the letters of discord.

[trippinprincezz13]

Also, with regard to the Drug Council and related commercials, I already think that their anti-weed ones are ridiculously laughable, but that's not the subject here.

The prescription pills one that I can remember is some "drug dealer" telling parents not to blame him that their kids are using drugs because they've found an easier source right in their bathroom cabinets.

If I was a kid watching this, I'd be like "Hey! What a great idea! Instead of seeking out a drug dealer to pay money to get some weed, I'll just raid mom & dad's/grandma's/etc. medicine cabinet for free! It's so easy! Thanks commercial! I never thought of this before!"

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

[Captain Utopia]

RWHN, no one is saying that teenage prescription drug abuse is not a problem. It's well documented that kid have been abusing prescription pain killers for years now. What we are disputing is the fact that "pharm parties" are a common occurrence or an "epidemic". The idea of kids putting an assortment of pills in a bowl and popping them like candy seems very far fetched. There may be isolated incidents of that happening but there is a low probability of it being a common occurrence nationwide. It smells like media scare tactics that can often pull the focus off of the real problems that are happening. There's no reason to lie about something like this when the truth is just as scary.

http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2005/youth-trade-drugs-at-pharming.html

Notice that the quotes from the girl doesn't say anything about pharm parties, just that her friends have been sharing prescription painkillers with one another. Subtle difference, but you have to admit that it's there.

This.

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

[trippinprincezz13]

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

Oh, I know. Just remarking that it's pretty counter-productive to their goals, rather than, you know, being honest.

[AFK]

RWHN, no one is saying that teenage prescription drug abuse is not a problem. It's well documented that kid have been abusing prescription pain killers for years now. What we are disputing is the fact that "pharm parties" are a common occurrence or an "epidemic". The idea of kids putting an assortment of pills in a bowl and popping them like candy seems very far fetched. There may be isolated incidents of that happening but there is a low probability of it being a common occurrence nationwide. It smells like media scare tactics that can often pull the focus off of the real problems that are happening. There's no reason to lie about something like this when the truth is just as scary.

While there is, as yet, no quantitative data on the phenomenon, there have been focus groups done, and other forms of qualitative research that show it is happening.  So please tell me what amount is okay and what amount is too much.  I mean, if you look at all drug abuse amongst adolescents, compared to the overall adolescent population, most kids don't do drugs.  So, does that mean we don't pay attention to it when it happens?  No.  So why is that different when we hear about kids engaging in this kind of risky behavior with Rx drugs.  It's not worth concern and attention because only a small percentage are doing it? 

That sounds like something a health insurance company would say about the tiny minority of people not getting health insurance.  It's not an epidemic, so why do anything about it, right?

[AFK]

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

Well, mine for starters.  jackass. 

[Captain Utopia]

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

Well, mine for starters.  jackass. 

I haven't seen any examples which don't fit that pattern - so it is an honest question.

Is there some history I'm missing here RWHN? There seems to be an awful lot of hyperbole when we seem to be in almost complete agreement.

[AFK]

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

Well, mine for starters.  jackass. 

I haven't seen any examples which don't fit that pattern - so it is an honest question.

Okay, then please list for me all of the anti-drug charities and agencies that you know of who use scare tactics to get their funding.  Keeping in mind there are hundreds of agencies in America alone that specialize in substance abuse prevention and treatment.  I will be awaiting your findings. 

[The Good Reverend Roger]

To be honest, a lot of anti-drug commercials seem to be over the top ridiculous and/or give kids new ideas of ways to get high they might not have considered before.

Which anti-drug charities and agencies don't rely on scare/fear tactics for funding?

Well, mine for starters.  jackass. 

I haven't seen any examples which don't fit that pattern - so it is an honest question.

Okay, then please list for me all of the anti-drug charities and agencies that you know of who use scare tactics to get their funding.  Keeping in mind there are hundreds of agencies in America alone that specialize in substance abuse prevention and treatment.  I will be awaiting your findings. 

The United States Justice Department, the BATF, the DEA, and the office of the Presidency.

[AFK]

I was thinking more along the lines of agencies, like mine, that are on the front lines actually doing the educating.  And we typically develop our own curriculum and do not rely upon the federal government.  That is, I assume, what fictionpuss was referring to, or maybe not. 

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I was thinking more along the lines of agencies, like mine, that are on the front lines actually doing the educating.  And we typically develop our own curriculum and do not rely upon the federal government.  That is, I assume, what fictionpuss was referring to, or maybe not. 

I just saw "Agencies".  Sorry.