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A. Drug overuse and its consequence
B. The problem of drug overuse in America
C. Benefits of medicine and its wise use
D. Female drug overuse with reference to that of males
E. Misuse of medicine among the young generation
F. Improper use of medicine among senior citizens |
1._____
Nowadays,millions of people misuse and even overuse pain medications and other drugs.Research
by the American National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA,1999) shows that around 2% of the
population over age 12 were using drugs nonmedically.
2. _____
NIDA views medications as a powerful force for good in the contemporary world.They reduce and
remove pain for millions of people suffering from illness and disease.They make it possible for doctors
to perform complicated surgery to save lives.Many people afflicted by serious medical conditions are
able to control their symptoms and become active,contributing citizens.NIDA points out that most
individuals who take these drugs use them in a responsible.
3. _____
Nevertheless,overuse of drugs such as opium,central nervous system (CNS) depressants and
stimulants does lead to harmful reliance in some people and is therefore becoming a serious public
health concern.Although this abuse affects many people worldwide,particular trends of concern to the
medical profession in the US appear among older adults,teenagers and women.
4. _____
Though it may be a surprise to many,the misuse of medications may be the most common form of
drug abuse among the elderly.Dr Kenneth Schrader of Duke University,North Carolina states that
although the elderly represent about 13% of the US population,those aged 65 and over account for
the consumption of one third of all drugs.People in this age group use medications roughly three times
more than the general population and have poorer compliance with instruction for use.In another study
of elderly patients admitted to treatment programs,70% were women who had overused medicines.
5. ____
Unfortunately,this trend among women does not only affect those aged over 65.In general,among women and men who are using either an antianxiety drug or a sedative,women are twice as likely to become addicted.In addition,statistics compiled for 12～17 year olds show that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to begin overusing psychotherapeutic medication such as painkillers,tranquillizers,stimulants and sedatives.