If you thought prescription drug abuse and addiction was bad in the united States, imagine how bad it is in war-torn parts of the world where prescription painkillers are only as far as the black market and corrupt pharmacies.

Increased Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction in Iraq

According to the New York Times, Iraqi soldiers work in 12-hour shifts patrolling the streets of Baghdad. For some soldiers, the only way to make it through their stressful job is to take a couple prescription painkillers and take the edge off. Says one soldier, “For me, it helps me to get the job done. It makes me happy and high, but I still can control myself.”

Doctors and health professionals say that prescription drug abuse and addiction has increased markedly in Iraq since 2003. Government regulations are lax, government officials are focused on other things and with the high-stress, literally explosive environment, it’s no wonder that Iraqi citizens and soldiers are feeling pulled to prescription painkillers in higher and higher numbers.

Who’s Abusing Prescription Drugs in Iraq?

Like the United States, you’ll find people addicted to prescription drugs in every social circle. From prisons to the police officers and soldiers on patrol to residents of poor neighborhoods to the unemployed across social circles, prescription drug abuse is a problem. However, it is the use of prescription painkillers by police and soldiers that is most alarming. Both are extremely stressful occupations, but with the power they wield and the weaponry besides, prescription painkillers can only make a bad situation worse.

What is the Prescription Drug of Choice Among Soldiers in Iraq?

Artane. A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease, it offers a euphoric high in large doses. According to the New York Times article, doctors are not allowed to speak publicly about the problem, but one said about the soldiers view of Artane:

“They believe that this Artane allows them to become courageous, to become brave. They take it so that there is no anxiety, no fear, so they can break down doors and enter houses with no shame.”

What is the Evidence That Iraqi Soldiers are Addicted Prescription Drugs?

It’s a hard thing to quantify beyond the admission of anonymous medical professionals and prescription drug users themselves that it is happening. But as far as statistics and scientific research, there is none. There’s nothing beyond anecdotal evidence that discusses how the prescription painkillers directly affect how the soldiers do their jobs. There are also no solid numbers on how widespread is the drug addiction and abuse, which drugs besides Artane are used most often, or how often the soldiers who use prescription drugs are indulging.

One soldier estimates that one of three soldiers in his unit take prescription drugs while on duty. A police offer estimates that about 30 percent of officers he works with do the same. A manager of a local drug addiction program says that prescription drug addiction has now surpassed alcoholism in sheer numbers and scope but says, “after the American invasion of Iraq, alcohol became limited because of the security situation and religious restraints.” Now, he said, “the long duties, the suicide attacks and the killing are all factors that drive the security forces members toward Artane and other drugs.” He also pointed out that prescription drug abuse and addiction is no worse among soldiers and police officers than it is in the rest of the population, albeit slightly more disturbing because of their position of power.

Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Attempts at enforcing prescription drug restrictions are intermittent, but there are some facilities available in the region. Thankfully, if you live in the United States, you have a number of options in prescription drug rehab. If you would like to learn more about the different types of prescription drug addiction treatment available, contact The Canyon.

There’s an ongoing issue that has plaguing pharmacists, doctors and patients alike: the problem of monitoring drug prescriptions for safety. In most places, making sure that patients are not abusing prescriptions, that doctors are not over-prescribing medications and that pharmacists are not incorrectly filling prescriptions or allowing a patient to walk away with conflicting prescriptions from different doctors is a problem that goes unchecked. But slowly, that has started to change.

Problems with Drug Prescription

There are a number of problems that could occur with prescription drugs. If you are prescribed more than one drug and especially if you get prescriptions from more than one doctor, a specialist or an emergency room doctor, for example, as well as a primary care physician, then there is a risk that the medications will interact negatively.

Another issue is when people have a prescription for an opiate painkiller to which they are addicted and try to supplement that prescription with more of the same or equivalent opiates by going through another doctor and pharmacist. Without monitoring, you could take a deadly overdose of opiate prescription drugs.

A New Prescription Drug Monitoring System in Vermont

According to the Burlington Free Press, the new Vermont Prescription Drug Monitoring System is the state’s latest way of tackling this nationwide problem. It is the 38th state to enact this kind of legislature and monitoring. Specifically, the new prescription drug monitoring system tracks the prescription and dispersion of controlled substances like opiate painkillers. Why these? Because though you may mix other drugs with a harmful result, the problem of abuse of prescriptions to sell to others or to feed a personal addiction is so dangerous and rampant a practice that it was the necessary first step in prescription drug monitoring.

How Prescription Drug Monitoring Works

Well, the Vermont Department of Health has come up with a prescription drug monitoring system that, according to Burlington Free Press, “collects a standard set of information on each prescription of a controlled substance.” Of course, a controlled substance is any prescription regulated by the government, like Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet and Percodan, Lortab and Lorcet, Fentanyl, et cetera. With the information, they create a database that doctors and pharmacists can access statewide so that those who are abusing their prescriptions can be easily identified.

How It’s Working So Far

So far, so good. Every seven days, pharmacies in Vermont are required to upload all their data on controlled prescriptions and since the middle of January, there have been about 350,000 records uploaded to the system.

Is there a system like this in your state? Have you been affected by it in any way? Do you think it will work?

It’s probably not a shock to learn that there is an issue with prescription drug abuse and addiction in the Army. It’s probably not even very shocking to learn that when soldiers can’t get what they need from their prescription that they’re buying pills not only from each other but from commanding officers as well. No community is immune to drug abuse and addiction, especially one that is fraught with injuries like any of our country’s armed forces. It’s not the fault of the Army, nor the men and women who are enlisted. It almost seems like an occupational hazard of sorts. So what is the Army doing about it?

The Army’s Way of Dealing With Prescription Drug Abuse

Court martial! That’s right. If you’re addicted to prescription drugs and you’re in the Army, you’re going to trial if you’re caught using your medication in any way that is not exactly according to prescription and you might end up dishonorably discharged. Everyone seems to know that this is problematic, but no one seems to know how to change the policy.

Dr. Les McFarling heads the Army’s substance abuse treatment program and says, “You can put soldiers at risk when you’re managing their pain.”

What The Critics Say About the Army’s Drug Abuse Policies

Those who disagree with the way the Army handles soldiers who are struggling with prescription drug addiction are calling their policies ‘a broken system.’ Rather than viewing the problem of addiction as a health issue, the Army tends to view it as a discipline issue. Reduction in rank or pay or dishonorable discharge won’t help a medical problem that requires medical treatment.

There are cases pending across the country in which whistle blowing soldiers claim that the Army is exhibiting misconduct in some of its drug abuse policies. In certain cases, the Army is considering the abolishment of its policy of notifying a commanding officer when a soldier voluntarily requests ASAP counseling. In one case at Fort Leonard Wood, soldiers claim that cases are being misfiled as non-addicted in order to keep the case load down for the understaffed substance abuse department. Also cited is the fact that one of the employees in that department lacks the required mental health certification.

The Stats on Army Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction

Army records show that the use of legitimate painkillers by troops injured in the line of duty has increased by about 70 percent in the past six years. Surveys of soldiers show that the issue of prescription drug addiction has increased accordingly, but they aren’t sitting back and accepting it; they’re looking for help from Army medical professionals and counselors. Enrollment in the Army’s ASAP counseling program is also at its highest in the past six years since the beginning of the Iraq war.

Whether it’s right or wrong may not be the issue across the organization, but if it’s not working, then something must be fixed. Anyone know any more about these cases?