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Addiction and athletes: Who's to blame?
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When people do not have the education about the what could happen. How many drug classes are manditory on BYU campus to show what could happen to people and families by using Valiums to Morphine? Reality Check. Utah is Number ONE in presption drug use. NOTE when you start scratching and it feels goods . you are in trouble.
Teach that in school and it is like a eight sided sign. And if you do not know what that is please stay off the road and you need help. please get it
How many times we hear people taking these things for mild aches and pains as well.
A bunch a wimps. Suck it up. No need to come home with prescribed pain medication ever!!!
We can endure pain without them. Non addictive forms can help and then the rest is up to you to deal with it. Since when was pain considered such a thing that we have to avoid at all costs.
I've had doctors look at me in shock when after back injuries, motorcycle accidents etc and I turn down their take home goody bag.
They dispense it too freely.
It doesn't matter who's to blame.
NO NEED FOR THEM AT ALL!!
Anyway, there needs to be prevention as well as options for athletes who do become addicted.
I think the medical world should never prescribe narcotics over a long period of time without strict monitoring and also pyschological monitoring of the patient. Doctors do a really good job at treating the pain problem, but they fail to see the problem that is created from taking opiates over a long period of time. Addiction to these pills is horrible. They are hard to come off, especially if you are facing a chronic pain situation.
Playing when you should not is crazy.
Im quite sure that BYU, nor any other school, wants to contribute to, yet alone cause, addictions in their athletes -- even if it means losing a game. Further, Im sure the kids who have become addicted, would have never considered taking pills had they known the devastating consequences associated with this addiction.
My heart goes out to these kids, as well as their families, and I hope schools and society can educate and get these kids the help they need. Just like the article said, most of these kids who are addicted started b/c of a legitimate injury. Good luck to Atkinson, his family, and all others who battle or will battle this extremely addictive drug.
I don't think highlighting the problem at BYU is helpful. All college athletics deal with this issue.
The problem, of course, is that these individuals can become addicted -- but there is no way these pills should be completely banned. They serve a vital, medical function.
No religion, creed, race, or college is immune from it.