Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP

                                  The Toll of Prescription Drugs

     I was reading today in the news that the autopsy results on actor Heath Ledger indicate that he died from an overdose of prescription medications, namely painkillers, tranquilizers and sleeping pills.

     That news got me to thinking about something that I have found disturbing for a number of years.  And that is the seeming willingness of some doctors to prescribe addictive and mood-altering drugs to large numbers of people.  In fact, I suspect that the prescription drug problem in America is as bad as, if not worse than, the illicit drug problem.

     In my work as an emergency room physician I have seen and treated countless patients who take multiple addictive drugs prescribed by their own doctors.  Because I believe in the first rule of medicine, "Do no harm", I have had a personal policy for many years of refraining from prescribing such medications except for e.g. short courses of opiates for acute painful conditions, such as broken bones, etc. 

     I do not know if Heath Ledger's own doctor prescribed the meds detected at autopsy or if the young man obtained the substances from some other source.  But I do know, from experience, that too many doctors do just that.

     Tranquilizers, sleeping pills and addictive painkillers might have a place in the treatment of a few special cases but the prescribing of such substances appears to be way out of control in our society.  Most doctors do not intend any harm.  They try to help their patients but, unfortunately, writing prescriptions is easier and quicker that helping patients find other ways to cope.

     Heath Ledger's death, while tragic, is one of many that occur each year thanks to the indiscriminate prescribing habits of some doctors.

     Before you ask your doctor to prescribe an addictive medication think long and hard.  There are usually other, healthier alternative ways to deal with your life challenges.  Drugs are seldom the answer.

Marlene Buckler, MD, FACEP          www.StayOutOfMyER.com