Up & Coming Weekly

July 25, 2016

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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JULY 27 - AUGUST 2, 2016 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM What are opioids, also known as opiates, and why are they commonly prescribed? When an over-the-counter pain medication such as aspirin, acet- aminophen or ibuprofen isn't strong enough, doctors often prescribe an opioid. They are controlled, highly addictive narcotic drugs that reduce the intensity of pain, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Depending on the nature of the pain, a physician might recommend one of these drugs: Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (Percocet), Morphine (Ka- dian, Avinza)or Codeine. These drugs are regulated and can be expensive. Another popular, but illegal, opioid in common use is heroin. Morphine is often used before and after surgical procedures to relieve severe pain. It is often used to com- fort patients being treated for end-stage, terminal cancer. Hydrocodone products are most commonly prescribed for a variety of painful conditions, including dental, arthritic and injury-related pain. Codeine is commonly prescribed for mild pain. In addition to their pain-relieving properties, some of these drugs — codeine and diphenoxylate (Lomotil) for example — can be used to relieve coughs and severe diarrhea, according to the NIDA. Heroin comes in different forms. It can be a white or brown powder or a black, sticky goo. It's made from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. It can be mixed with water and injected with a needle. Heroin can also be smoked or snorted. All of these ways of taking heroin send it to the brain very quickly. Regular use of heroin can lead to tolerance, which results in users needing more and more drug to have the same effect. At higher doses over time, the body becomes dependent on heroin. Heroin is used by millions of addicts around the world who are unable to overcome their dependency knowing that if they stop, they will face the horror of withdrawal. Health problems from heroin use include miscarriages, heart infections and death from over- dose. People who inject the drug also risk getting infectious diseases, includ- ing HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Efforts to increase opioid use and a campaign touting the alleged under treatment of pain continue to be significant factors in the escalation. Many arguments in favor of opioids are based solely on traditions, expert opinion, practical experience and uncontrolled anecdotal observations, according to the Pain Management Center of Paducah, Kentucky (PMCP). This evolved into the introduction of new pain management standards by the Joint Com- mission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In 2000, there was an increased awareness of the right to pain relief, the introduction of consumer organizations supporting the use of opioids in large doses plus aggressive marketing by the pharmaceutical industry. PMCP contends these positions are based on unsound science and blatant misinformation, and ac- companied by the dangerous assumptions that opioids are highly effective and safe because they are prescribed by physicians. The 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that an estimat- ed 22.6 million, or 8.9 percent of Americans, aged 12 or older, were current illicit drug users. The escalating use of therapeutic opioids shows hydro- codone topping all prescriptions with 136.7 million prescriptions in 2011. Opioid analgesics are now responsible for more deaths than those resulting from both suicide and motor vehicle crashes. Sixty percent of deaths occur in patients who have been given prescriptions based on guidelines set by medical boards. Forty percent of deaths occur in individuals abusing the drugs obtained through multiple prescriptions and doctor shopping. The PMCP authors of "Opioid Epidemic in the United States" conclude that the obstacles that must be surmounted are inappropriate prescrib- ing patterns which are largely based on a lack of knowledge, and inaccurate belief of under treat- ment of pain. The War on Opioids by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS • A 54-hole stroke-play event. • Open Divisions plus Super Senior Division ighted after 36 holes. • All male amateur entrants must be 16 or older and reside in Cumberland County. • Past CC champions who are not golf professionals are eligible. • Golfers 50 years of age or older are eligible to participate in a Seniors' Flight, unless they declare to play in the Open or Championship ights. • Entry fee of $150.00. Includes: 3 rounds of golf, a practice round*, range balls, food, beverages, trophies and prizes.** • *Green fees only, cart not included. Practice rounds are limited to weekdays and after 1 p.m. on weekends, after paid entry is received by Robert Wilson, PGA. Please call (910) 483-0359 for tee time . • No preferred pairings. • Cypress Lakes Golf Course requires collared shirts and denim is prohibited. • Field Limited to 144 participants. Cypress Lakes Golf Course Gates Four Golf & Country Club Kings Grant Golf & Country Club Baywood Golf Course Stryker Golf Course Make checks payable to Cumberland County Golf Classic Cumberland County's Premier Golf Event! Proudly Sponsored by Early Birds **Register by Sept. 1st and Receive ONE FREE FOURSOME ROUND OF GOLF at all 5 Area Courses! (Green fees only. Carts not included.) Supporting the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation (501C3 Non Prot) JEFF THOMPSON, Senior News Reporter. COMMENTS? news@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200. The escalating use of therapeutic opioids shows hydrocodone topping all prescriptions with 136.7 million prescriptions in 2011.

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