WHY DO HUMANS GET HIGH?

Humans are highly addictive creatures.

Essentially, most of our decisions are dictated by the pleasures or
pains associated with a given action, all of which are governed by
chemicals released in the brain.

When we experience something meaningful or enjoyable, our brains
reward us with pleasing chemicals to encourage us to repeat that experience.

Because of this reward system in our brains, substances that can
manipulate or synthesize these pleasing chemicals can cause our
brains to become dependent on them, and this can have devastating
effects on our lives.

Popular substances like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, and the
like, are dangerously addictive and have ruined the lives of many who
have entangled themselves with them.

And new drugs and ways of getting high are being developed all the
time. In fact, a recent television program showcased the strange new
trend among high school students of snorting Flamin' Hot Cheetohs.

But despite the publicity that the aforementioned drugs (and snack
items) get from the media, there is another, more subtle drug problem
lurking outside of the limelight: prescription medication addiction.

And Merced College's Students for Social Justice is seeking to put a
spotlight on this alarmingly widespread phenomenon.

The Students for Social Justice, also known as S4SJ, is a student-run
organization whose aim is to achieve genuine democracy and social
justice in America.

Covering a vast array of issues from the war in Iraq to health care
reform to gay and lesbian rights, the S4SJ often host monthly events
where speakers, film, and open discussions are used to provoke
critical thinking and social justice.

Thursday, the group will be tackling the issue of prescription drug
addiction and abuse. This month's theme was inspired by S4SJ member
Deborah Iversen, who has had first-hand experience with the dangers
of prescription drug addiction with the loss of two close members of
her family.

According to Deborah, many Americans are falling victim to a sort of
"accidental addiction" where, after being prescribed drugs by a
doctor, they become dependent on the medication.

And she is right: according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse,
millions of Americans begin using prescription drugs non-medically
every year.

Most of these drugs, including tranquilizers, sleeping pills,
antidepressants, and pain relievers, were likely prescribed to
initially treat a certain ailment or condition, but ended up being
abused by the patient.

The S4SJ will be showing a video, "Our Pill Epidemic," which will
cover the different types of prescription drugs most frequently
abused and their debilitating effects on one's health, family, job,
and life.

In the discussion following the video, Deborah plans to outline the
dangers of drugs not mentioned in the video, addictive pain relievers
such as Valium, codeine, and the increasingly popular Vicodin.

While Deborah is deeply passionate about this "pill epidemic", she
makes it a point to not attack the wrong people.

"This is not an attack on the medical community or an attack on
doctors. But the truth is, pharmaceutical companies are aware of how
dangerous these drugs are and knowingly get them out there."

Most doctors are familiar with the addictive qualities inherent in
many of these drugs, and Deborah believes that most of them are
sincere, ensuring that their patients are informed of the risks
before prescribing.

But millions of Americans are finding themselves hooked to these
prescription meds, leading Deborah to believe that something is amiss.

"There has to be a better way. This is seriously ruining people's
lives."

The objective of this event is to spread awareness. Recovery or
prevention "must start with the individual. We all have a personal
responsibility to know about the drugs we are taking and not fall
into this trap."

The Students for Social Justice will be showing the video at Merced
College at 7 p.m. Thursday. It will be held in Lesher, room 111.