"If we can save lives, and if we can bring to the attention of the people the dangers of prescription drug abuse, I think there will be some benefit to this country," ONDCP director Gil Kerlikowske said.
The pop singer may have died from an overdose of prescription drugs, a cause of death that also claimed celebrities Heath Ledger and Anna Nicole Smith. According to a CNN report, Jacksons employees told police that he asked them to obtain prescription drugs under different names. His bodyguards told police that he took 30 to 40 Xanax every night.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, medical correspondent for CNN, said, "This is an extremely high dose of Xanax. It is a huge red flag. This dosage is exceedingly high for any human being." Xanax is used to treat panic attacks.
Jackson may have also abused Demerol, a prescription painkiller.
In 2005, over 8500 people died from non-medical use of painkillers. People 18 to 25 years old are in the age group most likely to abuse these drugs, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Dr. Marvin Seppala, a medical officer with a drug treatment center, said, "I think people of all ages do not take medication as seriously as street drugs. There is a naïve belief that they are safer. The truth is pain medications are in the exact same class as heroin and morphine. Theyre very addictive."
Labels: prescription_drugs
Posted By: Aspen/CRC