Talking About The Texas Opioid Crisis With A DUI Attorney in Houston
Were you aware that there is an opioid crisis being fought in Texas? Opioid overdose and abuse are almost like a silent threat that has crept its way into Harris County. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has in fact recently released a report that indicates in 2016 that opioid overdoses skyrocketed by nearly 28%. All of us need to work at fighting against the opioid crisis in the state of Texas since it can affect everyone and anyone. However, it is just as important that it be fought right away and together. It is very important that you understand how opioids affect people and how it currently intersects with Texas state law. You can also consult with a DUI attorney in Houston for additional information. Hopefully, you will be joining us in our fight against Houston’s growing opioid crisis.
How Individuals Are Affected By The Texas Opioid Crisis
The Texas opioid crisis really started with the state’s public health policy. The most obvious part of the struggle, however, affects you as an individual. It can be very frustrating and difficult to deal with chronic pain. Only the people who have actually fought it really understand this situation. Individuals who suffer frequently try many different treatments and remedies to avoid having to use prescription-strength painkillers. However, nothing else works for some people. Opioid medicines are some of the more common kinds of prescription-strength painkillers that rely on a compound that is opium-like in nature that binds to one or more of the body’s three opioid receptors to alleviate pain and increase feelings of pleasure. However, where we can end up running into problems in the increased pleasurable feelings since that is what makes those drugs so dangerous and addictive. If you are in need of legal representation for a DUI, contact us today for a consultation.
How Others Are Affected By The Texas Opioid Crisis
The Texas opioid crisis takes a very high toll on those fighting the addiction as well as those people around them. Whenever someone is struggling with opioids and painkillers, coworkers, family, and friends all get pulled into the battle. Due to the lack of public awareness and education, citizens who are attempting to deal with opioid abuse might be fighting it all alone and producing strain unintentionally on people around them. Members of the family might take on added care and responsibilities at home. While friends try to help out with lifestyle changes that arise from accidents or injuries.
How The Opioid Crisis Isn’t Being Helped By Texas Law
Like with many other public problems, in the state of Texas, the law is lagging behind the opioid crisis. Legislators struggle with public policy. In the meantime, many local governments (which include Harris country) follow the law in the only way that they know how to: through imposing strict drug penalties on everyone in Texas. Dangerous drug possession may be a dangerous charge in Texas. The state’s drug classification system explains the different kinds of offenses and charges fairly well. However, when a doctor is the one who prescribed pharmaceutical drugs to you, to begin with, are you the one who is really at fault for becoming addicted? We don’t believe so.
Watching The Opioid Crisis
Opioid pain relievers continue to be prescribed by doctors since technically it is safe to use these painkillers when taken at the prescribed dosages for brief periods of time. However, opioids have euphoric side effects that may result in them being misused if the person takes more than is prescribed or if they are mixed with alcohol and other drugs. Misusing opioids can lead to overdose incidents, addiction, and dependence.
Opioid drugs that are most commonly prescribed:
- Zohydro
- Vicodin
- Roxicodone
- Roxicet
- Percocet
- OxyContin
- Norco
- Morphine
- Lortab
- Lorcet
- Exalgo
- Duragesic
- Dilaudid
- Codeine
- Actiq
- Abstral
Patients have been advised that their safety can be ensured by following their pharmacist’s labeling or physician’s instructions, being aware that it is dangerous to mix painkillers and other drugs, stopping dosage when abnormal side effects are noticed, and safely storing prescription opioids.
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