According to a 2009 report (Boston Globe – Feb 2, 2012) “Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of narcotic abuse in the country, recording 3,265 opiate – related deaths over a five year period”. Opiate use is on the rise and if your a parent dealing with these issues your going to need to learn more about this problem. We all have a general idea of what a narcotic is but exactly what is an opiate?
Definition: a drug (as morphine or codeine) containing or derived from opium and tending to induce sleep and alleviate pain; broadly: narcotic.
Here are a few examples:
- Opium
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Tramadol (Ultram)
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine (Subutex)
- Propoxyphene (Darvocet)
- Pethidine (Demerol)
- Hydrocodone (Lortab/Vicodin)
- Oxycodone (Percocet, Oxycontin)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Oxymorphone (Opana)
- Fentanyl
- Heroin (diacetylmorphine)
Like most people I am sure you have heard of some of the names on this list unfortunately there are many teenagers here in Massachusetts that know these names all too well. It is an epidemic that is sweeping our nation and some say it is a parent’s worst nightmare. We all know the dangers of drugs, I myself having grown up in Massachusetts had been warned of these dangers, only now it seems there are more dangers and they are easier to obtain.
Teenagers have many obstacles to get through during their journey to being an adult. As a parent I believe knowledge is the key to success. When it comes to my children if I do not know the answer I seek the help of someone who does. When it comes to drug abuse if you do not have the answers, you need to seek help. Identifying the problem is one of the first steps and drug testing can prove to be an essential tool. If you need help just give us a call. At Custom Drug Testing, Inc. we provide private and professional “At-Home” drug testing.
-Michael Boisseau