By H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Drug Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer – Attorney
Colorado Prescription Fraud Charges – Understanding Why People Become Addicted To Painkillers And Heroin
Colorado Prescription Fraud Charges – Understanding Why People Become Addicted To Painkillers And Heroin – The evolution of overdose deaths in Colorado due to prescription drugs originates from easily obtained prescriptions for such serious and highly addictive drugs as oxycodone or percocet.
Prescription drugs, not street drugs, are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Colorado. More than 350 Coloradans deaths were the result of prescription drug overdoses in 2013 alone
Most prescription drug overdoses are the result of accidental overuse of these very powerful opiates.
Its Not Just Meth., Heroin or Cocaine
The “secret” drug dealers that are wreaking havoc on our state wear white coats and receive financial incentives to over prescribe the powerful – but legal – opiates of oxycodone, vicodin or percocet. By far – deaths caused by overdoses in Colorado have not been caused by Meth, Cocaine or Heroin, but the over-prescribed prescription drugs.
Prescription drug abuse is considered the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States.
Colorado Prescription Fraud Charges – Understanding Why People Become Addicted To Painkillers And Heroin – Colorado’s Good Samaritan – 911 Law
In recognition of the problem, the Colorado state legislature granted immunity to individuals who – when they come upon someone who has overdosed – call 911 on their behalf. In the past, many have died because the witnesses to overdosing victims were afraid to notify authorities of someone in trouble for fear that they – or the victim of the ovedose – could be charged with a criminal offense.
People View Prescription Pills As “Safe” – Nothing Could Be Further From The Truth
What permeates the problem is the lack of public understanding as to just how powerful these prescription drugs are. The common belief is that this “medicine” is safe regardless of the dose or the frequency of the dose. This ignorance and easy availability of the drugs creates a deadly combination.
Prescription opiates are highly addictive. Colorado citizens pop these pills without a complete understanding of just how addictive they are and without paying attention to the dosages or timing or other substances they are putting in their bodies at the same time as taking the “prescribed” medication.
Young chldren and teenagers have easy access to these pills from their parent’s medicine cabinets. Adults “pill shoppers” get the drugs from “helpful” primary care physicians who do not ask questions or from emergency rooms where doctors prescribe these powerful painkillers just to cover their bases. They are prescribed often with little medical screening other vague complaints about pain.
Growing Tolerances To Prescription Painkillers Means Growing Desperation And Growing Addictions
It is well known to those in the criminal justice system – that lifetime addictions to these powerful painkillers can innocently begin with a serious surgery – an accident requiring long term prescription pain killers – or even chronic painful conditions compelling the overuse of these “legal” opiates. Individuals given a valid prescription can quickly become addicted and tolerances to the prescription drugs increase over time as people become physically dependent upon them.
More and more of the “scripts” are then necessary to get the same results.
This situation creates addictions that often can ead to acts of desperation such as crimes involving prescription fraud or to addictions to illegal drugs such as Heroin purchased cheaply on the street. It is also a well known and accepted fact that the majority of Colorado Heroin addicts started on prescription opiates.
“Pain pills” are chemically nearly identical to the drug Heroin. Both are opiates that depress the central nervous system. But the chances of overdosing on pills is even greater than the illegal drug as they a form easily taken in larger and larger quantities.
Conclusion
The Colorado state legislature has recently taken a more intelligent approach to the so called “War On Drugs.” The reduction of penalties for simple possession crimes – the focus on treatment rather than punishment – and a renewed understanding of the addictive qualities of both legally prescribed or illegally obtained prescription drugs, demonstrates a “new compassion” for those addicted to these substances among us.
Colorado Prescription Fraud Charges – Understanding Why People Become Addicted To Painkillers And Heroin
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author – A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-227-2277.
H. Michael Steinberg is an aggressive Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of Colorado Criminal Law experience. He is not looking to negotiate a plea in every case. He is looking for the best possible outcome, based on all the facts and evidence, so that you can get on with your life.
“I believe that I can help people who are in need and deliver the kind of quality legal service to clients they expect.” – H. Michael Steinberg
Please call H. Michael if you have any questions about the topic – in this case – Colorado Prescription Fraud Charges – Understanding Why People Become Addicted To Painkillers And Heroin.