Narconon Joins National Discussion on Prescription Drug Abuse

NORCROSS, GA, April 26, 2011 (Press-News.org) The White House recently announced plans to step up government efforts to curb the prescription drug epidemic in this country.

National Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske stated in a press conference last week, "What we are seeing is an epidemic of prescription drug abuse. We now have more people dying as a result of overdoses driven by prescription drugs than are dying from drug shot wounds in this country."

In an effort to stem the death toll and over all ravages of prescription drug addiction, the White House announced plans for a comprehensive approach to the problem. The White House hopes that through National education campaigns, additional training for the more than one million doctors authorized to prescribe certain controlled substances and pharmaceutical tracking systems, the number of abusers will decrease. As regards tracking systems, particular emphasis will be placed on Florida, where currently 85 % of oxycodone prescriptions originate. The White House is confident that this approach will effectively reduce the prescription abuse problem over time. In fact the stated goal through implementation of this campaign is a decrease of 50% in pharmaceutical drug abuse over the next 5 years. While the White House states this projection may seem modest, it would "represent a dramatic turn around."

Allen Shen, now an intake registrar at Narconon of Georgia, was once addicted to prescription drugs. In a recent interview by the Associated Press (Watch the interview), Allen described the way his addiction started and the ease with which he was able to continue it, despite the fact that he was black listed at most of the local pharmacies. Allen began taking prescription pain pills for a back injury ten years ago. "I thought there was nothing wrong with it because the doctors were writing prescriptions and it was perfectly legal. But basically, what they were writing for me was pharmaceutical grade heroin," Mr. Shen stated.

Once Allen was black listed from buying his drugs locally, he continued to purchase his pain killers through the internet. Allen described his understanding of the internet drug commerce; "Send your money to the drug cartel in Mexico. They know pharmacists in Southern California who then ship out of Southern California via fed ex and you get it the next morning on your door step."

Allen finally was able to successfully overcome his addiction to the highly addictive drugs through the non-traditional Narconon method. He now helps others with prescription drug abuse problems come to realize that there is hope - stable recovery is achievable through effective treatment such as Narconon.

Mary Rieser, director of Narconon of Georgia stated, "The White House strategy for curbing prescription drug abuse can work, provided implementation is broad enough. For example, every child in the country needs to be educated on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. It should be a requirement that every school in the nation educates its students on how to avoid being a part of this current epidemic. Likewise, the education for doctors who prescribe these medications must be mandatory. Many doctors may not even realize how big a role they play in diminishing the prescription drug abuse problem in this country."

In an effort to support the White House strategy, Narconon of Georgia is making plans to step up its drug education and prevention campaigns, while providing effective treatment for those who are already addicted.

Mary Rieser stated, "The plans from the White House don't include how to deal with the epidemic at hand right now. That's the job of drug treatment centers. There are thousands of individuals who need immediate treatment and for many of them; effective treatment can be literally lifesaving. Narconon of Georgia will continue to provide long-term, effective treatment and increase availability as much as possible."

Narconon of Georgia provides drug treatment and education. Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program with a 76% success rate. For more information or if you know someone suffering from addiction please contact us at 877-413-3073.

Website: http://www.drugsno.com