So, what demographic abuses prescription pharmaceuticals the most in The United States?

I'll give you some hints: they don't smoke. They don't drink. They probably don't even cuss.

I guessed elderly women. I was wrong.

It's The Mormons.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660200893,00.html

Now, you'll notice something fascinating here. I did a Google News Search of "Mormon Prescription" and came up with almost nothing. I had to search "Utah Prescription" to come up with anything.

The major media in America is now owned by Big Pharma (IMHOhwhybotherI'mright). I find it interesting in the articles about prescription drug abuse in Utah, a state with a predominantly Mormon population, the word "Mormon" never even comes up!

My understanding is that sales of alcohol are very strictly limited in Utah because of the Mormon influence. So, why wouldn't the mass media make mention of the Elephant in the Room when they report that Utah has the nation's highest rate of prescription drug abuse?

Now, I have to admit that I'm being a bit hasty here blaming it all on The Mormons. Due to complications outlined at the link I'm providing below, the numbers are a bit sketchy regarding Mormons in Utah.*

"According to the 2004 count, Utah is now 62.4 percent LDS with every county showing a decrease."

"Professor Tim Heaton, who studies LDS demographics for church-owned Brigham Young University, says the county numbers probably come from church membership rolls, and that between half and one-third of those people are not active in the faith. If that's true, then, at most, 41.6 percent of Utahns are church-going Mormons."

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2886596

Also, I know almost nothing about The Church of Latter Day Saints or Utah. I've never been to Utah. So, if someone reading this has some firsthand knowledge, please enlighten me and point out any foolish assumptions I may be making.

Otherwise, I have to conclude a few things:

1)When people are denied the ability to self medicate via the free market, the will find some other means of fulfilling the needs that tobacco, alcohol, or other substances fill in their lives.

2)Big Pharma knows this and is exploiting it to its full advantage.

3)Because neither Mormons nor Utah's more restrictive laws are never mentioned in an article about prescription drug abuse in Utah, the media is serving its Big Pharma financiers so that people won't make the obvious connections in #1 and #2. (I encourage you to do an internet news search to prove me wrong. Could be I missed it.)

4)As Government allows Big Pharma to become more and more socially acceptable, and even encourages prescription drug use, more people are looking to burden the healthcare system with high cost prescription drugs, rather than make a free market transaction to obtain a beer, a cigarette, or anything else.

*Unrelated. Though The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) may make their own numbers unknown, they most certainly know ours. My understanding is that the LDS keep a record of every birth and death for everyone in The United States and has for many years. If you are interested in genealogy, you may want to check it out.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: WinstonSmith,

Zero views on this sucker a day later.

I've got to come up with snazzier titles.

LOL

WS; don't worry about titles...it's still good researching and good topic to discuss.
I work with a guy who "gave up" his 'bad' behaviors...he's now on every drug (just about) that he sees on TV.
I believe the drug companies down the road (not in my lifetime-but eventually-as I totally believe, FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION) will get the same shaft as tobacco, alcohol, fast food, etc..
no more advertising the drug dujour.
everyone wants it / needs it / gotta have it. To Fix Me.
I count on your "stuff" for further thinking, researching, discussions.
Keep On!

quote:

The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS)abusing prescription drugs

oh my gwad..

Winston I read this at first I didn't want to beleive it and it really pissed me off I was offended by it Why well I am a convert to the LDS church My husband a Utah mormon born and raised as such.. any how I had to really ask myself what was it about this story you posted that got me all bent out of shape I think it was that fact that the mormons view any and all bad habits vices against the religion examples coffee, soda's caffine ect thats unholy.. abusing prescription drugs such as they are seams to cover up whats really ailing them I don't know guess I'll have to rethink alot of values.. however I am not one of those devote bible thumpers I never have been I smoke and I enjoy it I drink coffee and I drink caffine soda and I cuss LOL

It was reported yesterday that $ 197,800,000,000 in prescription drugs were dispensed by pharmacies last year in this country. If there are three hundred million Americans in this country that equates to $ 659.33 per person.

I am not taking any prescription drugs and at the age of 60 I feel blessed. But what are these drugs actually treating? How many of them are used only to counteract reactions to others? How many are taken each day just to provide the benefits of smoking enjoyed by each of us and at what cost?

This figure says nothing about the office visits and tests required to get the prescription in the first place.

quote:

Originally posted by WinstonSmith:
Zero views on this sucker a day later.

I've got to come up with snazzier titles.

Take heart. I can't state this as fact, but IMO that counter doesn't work all the time at first. It delays the count.

I know I looked at your post during the time in question.

The title was quite fine.