Narconon Arrowhead Warns Of Dangers Of Internet Pharmacies

Drug Rehab Leads Initiative To Educate Public On Dangers Of Internet Prescriptions

Canadian, OK (PRWEB) October 31, 2007 -- In 2000, a 25-year old Arizona man visited a pharmacy website, complained of depression and was prescribed powerful muscle relaxants and a diet drug by a Maryland doctor who never examined him. The man began to exhibit bizarre behavior and finally committed suicide.

The previous year, a 52-year old Illinois man with a history of chest pain ordered Viagra from a website after answering a questionnaire to qualify for the prescription. After drinking a few beers on his way home from work, he went to his girlfriend's house, took a Viagra and died of a heart attack while having sex.

In 2007, we are promoting an 800 helpline to educate and offer free help to those people who may have gotten in trouble by buying addictive medications from internet pharmacies and the like.

This is too often the result of prescription drug purchases from unmonitored online pharmacies, often referred to as "rogue" pharmacies. Despite investigations by state agencies, the FDA, DEA and General Accounting Office, Narconon Arrowhead believes that not enough is being done about the problem.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that medicines purchased from Internet sites that conceal their physical addresses are counterfeit in 50% of cases. Counterfeit drugs, usually manufactured overseas without quality or contaminant restrictions, may contain wrong ingredients, contaminants or little or no active ingredients. These fake drugs can harm or even kill those who consume them. In 2007, a Canadian woman purchased pills from an internet pharmacy that claimed to be in Canada. The pills were contaminated with high levels of metal and the woman died.

In recent years, teens and young adults have discovered that they can purchase narcotics or other addictive drugs from internet sites. As reported by the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, a supervised thirteen-year-old girl was able to order Ritalin from a website, while providing her correct height, weight and age. Ryan Haight, an 18-year-old honor student in California, died in 2001 after purchasing hydrocodone from a website and consequently overdosing on the drug.

For some people, easy access to controlled substances via internet purchasing is a way to conceal an addiction to hydrocodone, Oxycontin, Xanax or several other addictive substances.

"Too many teens and young adults fall prey to the easy access of these addictive drugs instead of addressing and handling their addictions," stated Ryan Thorpe, Director of Admissions at Narconon Arrowhead, one of the country's leading drug rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. "Between a fifth and a quarter of the people we talk to that need addiction services are telling us they are addicted to prescription drugs. Sobriety is achieved starting with thorough detoxification of drug residues stored in the body and then development of life skills that enable a former addict to make better choices. At Narconon, our program constantly returns those addicted to prescription drugs to a healthy, productive lifestyle. Seven out of ten of our graduates are still drug-free two years after they return to home and work." Adds Thorpe, "In 2007, we are promoting an 800 helpline to educate and offer free help to those people who may have gotten in trouble by buying addictive medications from internet pharmacies and the like."

For information on Narconon's successful drug treatment and educational program and materials, contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit their website at www.stopaddiction.com. The Narconon program was founded in 1966 by William Benitez in Arizona State prison, and is based on the humanitarian works of L. Ron Hubbard. In more than 120 centers around the world, Narconon programs restore drug and alcohol abusers and addicts to a clean and sober lifestyle.

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