Nevada Public Radio Banner
KNPR's State of Nevada About SON Archives Participate Specials
UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS
Not Ready To Serve
Nevada's Solar Future May Not Be So Sunny
The Rise Of China - A Neighborhood Perspective
RECENT DISCUSSIONS
Strife In The Sky
Can Eminent Domain Save North Las Vegas Homeowners?
Sen. Justin Jones Talks Background Checks
A Bad Bet: The Legislature Shuts Down Sports Kiosks
New Exams For Firefighters After Cheating Scandal
Tyrone Thompson, Replacement Assemblyman
More Troubles With Las Vegas Constable
Replacing James Guthrie
X-Hunters Search For Secret History Of Air Force
DOJ Expected To Join Negotiations With Arpaio Attorneys
How To Help A Grieving Student
Gun Bill Shot Down
Acting Labor Secretary Talks Immigration Reform
Child Haven's 'Repeat Runaways' Found
Flores Brings Personal History To Domestic Violence Legislation
What's The Future Of Las Vegas' Mets' Affiliate?
Pill Mill in Southern Nevada

AIR DATE: November 7, 2011
LISTEN TO M3U | DOWNLOAD MP3

Prescription drug abuse continues its meteoric rise. In the last ten years deaths from prescription drug overdose has quadrupled.  In Nevada the abuse of certain prescription painkillers is evident - we consume twice the national average.  We look into the issue of pill mills and why prescription drug abuse is so prevelant.
 
GUEST
Patrick Coolican, columnist, LV Sun

LINKS


Pill Mill in Southern Nevada
My former husband of 23 years and father of 4 ...
-Trina
I work as a pharmcist. We are constantly ...
-annoymous
I find it interesting that the focus of this ...
-Marc
Join the Conversation   
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS:
My former husband of 23 years and father of 4 amazing children became addicted to pain killers after a construction accident in 1995. He spent 11 days in the hospital and during that time the clinicians put him immediately on morphine and let him have as much of it as he wanted. He died of an overdose last year of fentanyl, hydrocodone, and alprazolam. These drugs were all prescribed to him by the same doctor. The quantity that this one doctor prescribed is unfathomable. There are a number of things I think might have saved his life. 1) Non-narcotic pain killers in the hospital or at least a limited amount and transition to non-narcotic pain killers. 2) Pain management solution upon dismissal from the hospital (this wasn't discussed until 2 years after). 3) A reasonable cap that doctors can prescribe. 4) Expose the illusion an addict knows enough about drugs not to accidentally overdose. My ex believed that he knew how much his system could handle.
TrinaNov 7, 2011 22:14:11 PM


I work as a pharmcist. We are constantly under pressure from corporate entities to keep "customers happy" under any circumstances. This means constantly writing pharmacist if we refuse to fill prescriptions.
annoymousNov 7, 2011 20:47:29 PM


I find it interesting that the focus of this dicussion seems to be upon legal and law enforcement issues rather than social issues. aside. oxy is not off the market. it has been changed into a less abusable form and has already been replace. I wn't give the name of its replacement because I dont want to lead anyone down that path. Addiction makes drug cartels and pill mills rich. It is a social problem. Marc
MarcNov 7, 2011 09:57:20 AM


I was so happy to hear that Dr. Paulin was closed down. What he was doing was so unethical.
Steven Nov 7, 2011 09:45:40 AM


I met a guy in college about 5 years ago, who was bright and successful at a young age. Unfortunately, he got into painkillers, a habit which worsened as he went to & hosted parties where everyone would be snorting crushed up pain pills. Eventually he moved onto heroin, alienated everyone he knew, & is now serving a jail sentence for theft.
JacobNov 7, 2011 09:39:48 AM


(asked in a Homer Simpson voice) "Twice the national average? So does this mean we are #1? WOOHOO!"
aunty palinNov 7, 2011 09:26:17 AM


Join the Discussion
11/07/11 RUNDOWN
The HOA Conspiracy
Pill Mill in Southern Nevada


© 2012 NEVADA PUBLIC RADIO   
Web hosting facilities provided by Switch.