As a Roanoke DUI accident lawyer I never thought I would being writing a blog post about the dangers of opioids. My work centers around injured clients and car accidents usually caused by driver errors like speeding, running stop signs and failing to yield. But more often, the underlying cause of these car accidents traces back to driver distraction, sleepiness, alcohol and drug use.
All of these scenarios can result in car crashes that can cause fatalities and serious life-altering injuries. But none have become an epidemic comparable to the opioid crisis facing our nation this year. Even in the Roanoke Valley, there has been a 28% increase in fatally injured drivers that tested positive for drugs. And the tragic fact is, these drivers are not only killing themselves, they are taking of the lives of adults and children that were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
OPIOIDS
To truly understand what we’re up against as a society, we first must understand what opioids actually are. For the most part, they are not “street” drugs. You may even have some in your medicine cabinet right now. Many people have an ongoing prescription to help them manage pain from a past surgery, personal injury or disease.
Some very commonly prescribed drugs that are classified as opioids are:
- Morphine
- Methadone
- Bupreorphine
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
If you have any of these drugs in your medicine cabinet from expired prescriptions, promptly dispose of the drug by contacting your local police department or pharmacy. They can be extremely dangerous if not taken exactly as they are prescribed. It is not okay to flush all medications, so call before you flush!
Heroin is also an opioid but is not prescribed in the United States as medicine.
Prescribed opioids are often used as painkillers. These drugs are intended for short term use and are supposed to be used only with follow-up care.
Because of their effectiveness with pain management, these legal drugs are prescribed to people of all ages. Children and adults alike may be prescribed these drugs after suffering an injury due to a fall or an injury resulting from a car accident, a sports injury or even surgery.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
They’re brilliant, really. Rather than trying to reduce swelling and fight inflammation, they actually block pain signals to the brain by attaching to receptors on the cells located in the brain and spinal cord. They also cause those same receptors to produce large amounts of dopamine, the body’s hormone that helps us to feel relaxed and happy. This causes a natural “high” feeling.
SOUNDS GREAT! WHAT’S THE CATCH?
Yeah, here’s the bad news. Our bodies are really good at learning how to run efficiently and building up a tolerance. So, it takes higher and more frequent doses of the drug to get pain relief and the feelings of euphoria. And since it’s human nature to want to live pain free and to crave feelings of happiness, patients begin abusing the drug by misusing the drug.
Also, having a respite from pain is not the only effect of the drug. The following side effects may also occur:
- drowsiness
- nausea
- constipation
- confusion
- slowed breathing
- euphoria/disorientation
Now imagine driving while under the influence of this drug. How many dangerous situations can you imagine in the next ten seconds?
- driving on the interstate going the wrong way
- falling asleep at the wheel
- becoming confused and mistaking the gas pedal for the brake pedal
- suffering from slowed breathing and passing out while driving
THE OPIOID CRISIS AFFECTS ALL OF US
The Roanoke Valley DUI Task Force arrested 64 people for DUI in 2017. Many of those tested positive for drug use including opioids and Marijuana. Kevin Slough of the Roanoke County Police Department told Channel 10 News recently that the general public needs more education on the issue. He stressed that taking pills and abusing marijuana is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. The take away from that message, even if its a legal drug intended as medicine, prescribed by a doctor, is it is still a mind altering, physically inhibiting drug and by taking it and driving, patients are putting their own safety and the safety of countless others at risk.
Injured in a drunk driving car accident that was not your fault? If you have questions about your rights, your insurance company, the defendant’s insurance coverage, the medical bills that are piling up and how you can get compensation for your lost wages, call the personal injury lawyers at The Thomson Law Firm today. An intake specialist is ready to answer your questions about your potential DUI car accident case. Call today for a FREE consultation. (540) 777-4900
For an even quicker response, click here for your free case evaluation.
To learn more about Roanoke DUI accident lawyer, Paul Thomson, click here.
