Ten Things You and Your Family Should Know about the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers, According to The Waismann Foundation

Business Wire, Sept 7, 2004

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Waismann Foundation's Drug Awareness Campaign Offers Timely Advice for Parents on the Risks of Opiate Dependency

The Waismann Foundation today released "Ten Things You and Your Family Should Know about the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers," the second installment of the foundation's weekly "Drug Awareness Month" educational series. As the number of opiate dependencies in the U.S. continues to rise, it is critical that parents are armed with the right information to educate their children on the dangers associated with prescription painkiller abuse, and are also able to recognize the telltale warning signs of abuse, according to Dr. Clifford A. Bernstein, chairman of the Waismann Foundation and specialist in chronic pain management and opiate dependency.

"Children are being introduced to recreational use of prescription painkillers at a much younger age than most would expect and are gaining easier access to them," said Bernstein. "However, once they become aware of the consequences, they can make more intelligent, informed decisions."

According to Bernstein, prescription drugs can easily make their way into and out of households and taking the time to talk to family members about the dangers of prescription painkillers could be a preventative measure that lasts a lifetime.

Dr. Bernstein offers parents the following advice:

1. Face the Facts. Denial can prevent you from recognizing a real
    problem at home. Among youths and adults, non-medical use of
    prescription painkillers ranked second only to marijuana in
    illicit drug use according to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use
    and Health.

2. Acknowledge it's All Relative. Legal or not, prescription
    painkillers are just as harmful as street drugs. Prescription
    painkillers like Oxycodone are synthetic (man made) opiates, the
    family of drugs from which heroin is derived.

3. Keep an Eye Out for the Graduate. Children as young as 13-15 years
    old can easily graduate from abusing Oxycontin (a legal opiate
    drug) to abusing heroin (an illegal opiate drug). The two drugs
    have similar effects, therefore attracting the same abuse
    population.

4. Leverage What's Newsworthy. Take advantage of incidents in the news
    to talk to your family about painkillers. In March 2004, a Phoenix
    fourth-grader took her mother's prescription painkillers to school
    and gave them to her friends. A few of the children were
    hospitalized, while the young girl was taken to the police station
    and suspended for the year. Making an example out of a story like
    this helps to discourage children from trying drugs.

5. Don't Assume It Can't Be You. You're not necessarily in the clear
    if your child is head cheerleader or the class president. Not all
    kids who abuse prescription drugs are dark, depressed, and
    troubled. Drug use has become increasingly frequent among a
    variety of groups of young people.

6. Beware of Emotional Rollercoasters. Changes in a person's normal
    behavior can be a sign of dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and
    concentration may occur as everyday responsibilities become
    secondary to the need for the relief the prescription provides.
    Other signs to look for are social withdrawal, desensitized
    emotions (indifference or disinterest in things that previously
    brought them pleasure) and increased inactivity.

7. Watch Out for Going Grunge -- Your child's personal hygiene may
    diminish as a result of a drug addiction. Significant weight loss
    may occur, and glazed eyes may indicate an underlying problem.

8. Become a Micro Manager. If your child is prescribed a
    pain-relieving medication, closely monitor the dosage and
    frequency the drug is ingested. Also, if you or your spouse is
    prescribed a prescription painkiller, be sure to keep it out of
    your children's reach and dispose of any extras once you no longer
    need it.

9. Play it Smart. Listen carefully when your doctor or pharmacist
    gives you instructions for a drug for a family member. Provide
    your doctor with a complete medical history so he or she is aware
    of other medications being taken and can prevent a negative
    interaction. Finally, never increase dosage or the frequency of
    taking a medication without consulting your physician.

10. Trust Your Instincts. If you suspect that a family member is
    abusing prescription drugs, consult his or her doctor or seek
    professional help right away. Medical professionals can refer you
    to treatment programs but the most important thing is to seek help
    in a timely matter.

For more information on The Waismann Foundation or opiate dependency, visit www.opiates.com.

The Waismann Foundation, headquartered in Beverly Hills, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the research of opiate dependency. Drs. Clifford A. Bernstein and Michael Lowenstein use the exclusive Waismann Method to treat opiate dependency. The Waismann Method reverses the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes opiate dependence. It is humanely performed in the intensive care unit of a hospital under anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will experience no conscious withdrawal, and will be able to return home within days. Over 65 percent of the patients who are treated with the Waismann Method remain drug free after one year.