I’m usually of the opinion, “Live and let live.” I mean, as long as people are given all the current and relevant information, then it’s up to them as to how they wish to live their lives (for the most part anyway). Let’s take drugs for instance: You want to shoot heroin? As long as you do it in the privacy of your own home, with no children exposed to the lifestyle, and you are not harming anyone other than yourself, AND I don’t have to pay for you, or it, through welfare programs, then go ahead—live it up!
Funny but I am certain that many of you reading this, or “still reading,” as the case may be, are shaking your heads in disapproval right now. “Live it up!? On heroin?…How irresponsible.” Yet far too many people still have no problem with doctors doling out dangerous medications like they are candy. Heck many of you are probably on your own fair share, because THAT’S the modern “health care” climate today. And the faction that’s actually aware of—and in firm opposition to—this cultural dysfunction is tiny; growing perhaps, but minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
But you are live and let live, Campos!
Right! If people can make an informed choice… so that means they get ALL the relevant information, not just the selective sh** that were suppositorily fed by the pharmaceutical pushers and manufacturers. And before you think I’m of the Big This or Big That conspiracy club, think again: I look to the consumer as having the most responsibility because IT’S YOUR HEALTH! You better care enough, or put your life willingly in the hands of your cultural health authorities.
Face it: Most junkies know quite clearly in what ways they are f**king themselves up, and they make the choice regardless; however, they make informed choices—do you? Here’s what makes me convinced the bulk of Americans (westerners in general really) do not:
- Deaths from drug overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades and have become the leading cause of injury death in the United States
- Drug overdose deaths from prescription drugs (53% in 2012) have surpassed those from recreational drugs (47%)
- Among people 25 to 64 years old, drug overdose caused more deaths than motor vehicle traffic crashes
- In 2012, 79.9% of the 41,502 drug overdose deaths in the United States were unintentional
- In 2012, 53% of the 41,502 drug overdose deaths in the United States were related to pharmaceuticals
- Most common prescription drugs leading to overdose death:
- 70% involved opioid analgesics (aka prescription pain killers) – OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, etc
- 30% involved benzodiazepines (sedatives) – Xanax, Valium, etc
- People who died of drug overdoses often had a combination of benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics in their bodies
And you know what the number one most dangerous activity one can do when it comes to prescription drugs, and that includes over-the-counter medications (like cold medicines)? Drinking alcohol while on them! Duh!
You still want those pain killers, junkie? Live it up! But understand something that every heroin addict must: each day on your (doctor prescribed) fix could just be your last. Okay now you are informed.