The Florida Medical Examiner’s Commission autopsied 168,900 cadavers in 2007 and concluded that PRESCRIPTION DRUGS KILLED THREE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE AS DID ILLEGAL DRUGS LIKE HEROINE, COCAINE, AND METH.
David Gutierrez of Truth-Out.Org reported on this issue in an excellent article in November of 2008 (see http://www.truth-out.org/111208HA). Gutierrez concludes after citing the Fla. Medical Examiner’s Commission, as well as statements by Lisa Mcelhaney (sergeant, pharmaceutical drug diversion unit, Broward County Sheriff’s Office), and Jeff Beasley (Fla. Dept. of Law Enforcement)….
‘PRESCRIPTION DRUGS KILL 300 PERCENT MORE AMERICANS THAN ILLEGAL DRUGS!’
Here’s how the numbers broke down in a single county in Florida (2007, Broward Cty.):
Deaths attributed to heroine: 121.
Deaths attributed to meth : 25.
Deaths attributed to cocaine : 843.
Deaths attributed to LEGAL OPIATE-LIKE PAIN-KILLERS (i.e. Oxycontin): 2328.
Deaths attributed to LEGAL DRUGS WITH BENZODIAZEPINE (i.e.Xanax): 743.
Deaths attributed to oxycodone: 1253.
All these deaths certainly have got to make one wonder WHY MANY OF THESE DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE LEGAL IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The obvious reason: Since 1998, drug companies have spent $758 million on lobbying — more than any other industry, according to government records analyzed by the Center for Public Integrity, a watchdog group (see USA TODAY report:http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2005-04-25-drug-lobby-cover_x.htm).
Drug companies know how potentially life-threatening their products are…As evidenced by their massive bribes/lobbies to lawmakers. IF THEIR PRODUCTS WERE TRULY SAFE AND BENEFICIAL FOR HUMANITY, COMMON SENSE SHOULD TELL US THAT IT’S UNLIKELY THEY’D NEED TO PAY OFF CONGRESS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY AS PRESCRIPTION-DRUG-DEATH-TOLLS CONTINUE TO CLIMB.
Director of The National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, has admitted in a May 2009 report that deaths involving prescription opioids increased 114 percent between 2001 and 2005 (his press release:http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press09/052009.html).
Yet new drugs continue to be approved, with no end in site. The FDA approved 18 new drugs in 2007. Another 22 in 2008. And 25 more in 2009.
Deaths attributed to meth : 25.
Deaths attributed to cocaine : 843.
Deaths attributed to LEGAL OPIATE-LIKE PAIN-KILLERS (i.e. Oxycontin): 2328.
Deaths attributed to LEGAL DRUGS WITH BENZODIAZEPINE (i.e.Xanax): 743.
Deaths attributed to oxycodone: 1253.
Yet new drugs continue to be approved, with no end in site. The FDA approved 18 new drugs in 2007. Another 22 in 2008. And 25 more in 2009.
Can doctors or the medical industry as a whole do anything about this?
I doubt it. And if they could, why would they? Their entire business of disease thrives ONLY when you are sick. Or addicted to their products.
As the Dr. Rath Foundation has correctly stated, ‘It is not in the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry to prevent common diseases – the maintenance and expansion of diseases is a precondition for the financial growth of this industry.’
I choose not to be a part of that industry.
Jeff Sekerak
http://www.superiorbodyhealth.com/
http://www.twitter.com/jeffsekerak
P.S. I was addicted to fast-foods, as well as pain-killing drugs for years. For my proven method of staying off drugs with a natural, plant-based diet, and getting into the best shape of your life with fast, efficient, weight-free workouts see http://www.superiorbodyhealth.com/. It works. Fast. Guaranteed.
*consult your doctor or licensed health-care practitioner before engaging in any diet or exercise program.
*copyright 2010, all rights reserved.
*copyright 2010, all rights reserved.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
hmm i wonder if this an acceptable comparison
how many folk were taking the ‘legal’ stuff overall
and how many were taking the ‘illegal’ drugs..?
as a medic-hater i want to see the pharmaceutical industry destroyed
however using slanted, misinterpreted facts to prove a prejudice or a point merely puts the truth on the back foot