Generation rx

Generation Rx refers to the generation of people who abuse pills as their drug of choice. Where the preferred drugs in the 1970s were marijuana and acid, in the 1980s was cocaine, in the 1990s crack, the youth of the 2000s era supposedly prefer prescription (Rx) drugs to other available substances.

Generation Rx is made up of many past generations, however it is currently fueled by the youth in today's Generation Y. However, the elderly must also not be forgotten, as today the common practice to "medicate" our elders has been a handful of pills for everyday of the week. From here, the Rx abuse has spread as curiousity has led many to experiment with stolen or forgetten medication perscriped to the elderly. Once the joys of said medication were discovered, it formed the beginnning of today's craze for abusing prescription drugs, often stolen or purchased illegally.

Most notably, substances abused include (but are not limited to)

*OxyContin
*Percodan
*Percocet
*Vicoden
*Xanax
*Valium
*Lortab
*Adderall

Appeal

The ease of obtaining prescription pills allows for their high level of abuse. Some users save pills prescribed for past injuries until after the pain has subsided, and then enjoy the side effects recreationally. The social acceptance of a bottle of pills also allows some to abuse when desired, regardless of onlookers. Everyone knows the smell of marijuana or the obvious appearance of a line of cocaine; however, no one will question a person who simply pops a small pill and continues about their day.

Effects

The most obvious effects are observed throughout the pharmeceutical community. Doctors are aware of the wonders of today's prescription medicines, prescribing them readily to anyone with convincing need. Many patients need just ask for their desired medication and will receive a prescription with little opposition. Also, doctor-patient confidentiality makes it virtually impossible for anyone to question the legitimacy of someones need for medication.

The demand for prescription drugs has also led to many pharmacy robberies becoming much more common. Both urban and rural areas have seen a rise in pharmacy robberies and often the thieves go straight for the painkillers.

Known methods of abuse

*"Crush and sniff": Often pills that are designed only for oral consumption are crushed into a fine powder and then sniffed by the user. This sniffing methodology provides a much faster and more intense "high" than if properly ingested.

*"Speedballing": Speedballing refers to the use of a combination of an upper (such as cocaine or speed) and a downer (such as heroin or OxyContin). This allows the user to sleep after long nights of drug binging.

*"Break and swallow": Many users also take multiple times the reccomended dose as to enhance the euphoric effects. It is also common to break the pill in half before consumption as to bypass the factory time release and once again to enhance any pleasurable effects.

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