Revealed: The Danger You Won’t Find On Prescription Warning Labels
By
Natalie Moore
Posted April 30, 2016
- Yet another health risk associated with Pharmaceuticals… this one you never hear on a Cialis commercial.
- Toss ‘em if you got ‘em. The DEA asks no questions.
- The answer to “why” you’re getting today’s issue so early, below
Editor’s note: For your own safety, today’s issue of Living Well Daily is coming to you earlier than its normal scheduled time. Read on to find out why…
Dear Reader,
“I’m OK. I just called the cops and they are on the way. Just please come over now! I’m scared!”
A while back, a close friend lost her stepfather to cancer. During the last stages of his life, her mother cared for him with the help of hospice in their home. And that’s when she received this frantic phone call from her panicky mother.
Since he was suffering from tremendous pain due to bone cancer, the hospice supplied them with lots of pain medication.
In fact, it was the largest amount of prescription medications I’ve ever seen outside of a pharmacy. And since I spent nearly a decade in a busy emergency room, that’s saying something. There were dozens of opioid lollipops, countless bottles of oxycodone, and stacks of morphine patches all over their home.
A month after the hospice treatment began, her stepfather passed away.
But this was the first hardship her mother would suffer that year.
Some Dangers Aren’t On the Warning Label
Once all of the formalities were taken care of, my friend’s mother had some work done to her home — professional cleaning, new flooring, fresh paint, etc. It was an effort to renew her space after the death of her husband.
Unfortunately, her efforts to rejuvenate the home took a dangerous and bizarre turn.
She came home one evening after work to find had been robbed.
But what they left was weird. Jewelry, electronics, valuable artwork… none of that had been touched. The only things taken were most of the prescription drugs and a few dollars in cash.
When the police arrived on the scene, they gave her some upsetting news.
Apparently, there was a string of these types of robberies in her area. And all of them were tied to prescription drugs.
The officer explained while it’s not always the case, it was likely someone knew of the prescriptions in her home. It could have been one of the people she hired, or even one of the many health care workers who looked after her husband. He went on to say:
“You know, you are really lucky you weren’t home, ma’am. The last home invasion like this, the homeowners were held at gunpoint and physically assaulted. Always make sure you get rid of old prescriptions as soon as possible. People will hurt you to get them.”
As it turns out, that cop is right.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 3.7 million home burglaries occur here in America every year. Of these, 1 million occur while a household member is at home, and over 250,00 people become victims of violent crimes.1
Keep in mind these stats are from 2007. And while there are no clear data on how many of these were related to prescription drug theft, you don’t have to look far to hear about a new case.
This is why our message to you is so urgent.
Trash the Trouble TODAY!
You see, today is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is teaming up with local law enforcement agencies to provide folks with designated drop-off points for their unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Plus, it’s completely free of charge, and there are no questions asked.
But this service is available only from 10 a.m. –2 p.m. today. That’s why you received this message hours before its regularly scheduled time.
To find a drop-off location or more information, click here or call (800) 882-9539.
If you can’t make it to the drop-off today, you can find more information about proper drug disposal here.
I urge you to take this opportunity to get rid of any unwanted drugs in your home before they cause you harm or strife like they did for my friend’s mother.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] National Crime Victimization Survey
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
30-Second Vision Hack Restores Calm
Ever notice how looking out at the ocean or mountains makes you instantly feel calmer? It’s not your imagination. And it isn’t just the beautiful scenery, either. There’s a biological reason that gazing out at the horizon triggers relaxation… Our eyes were designed to look far away, and our visual cortex evolved to process nearby...
Men, If You’re Feeling Tired—Don’t Ignore THIS Warning
You know that feeling when you wake up tired… and stay tired all day? You chalk it up to age—but lately, it’s worse. You’re dragging… You need more coffee… Your energy just isn’t what it used to be! But what if it’s not just age? A new study shows that fatigue in older men could...
Mailbag: Science-Backed Strategies Target Belly Fat
“What is an effective strategy for gradually eliminating (white) belly fat?” —Slimming Down Hi Slimming, White fat is the most common fat in the body, and its primary purpose is to store energy. But belly fat isn’t just about appearances. Having too much of it is associated with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and...
Just 35 Minutes Could SAVE Your Brain
For years, I’ve told you exercise is non-negotiable for healthy aging. As you age you must move more to protect your body and brain. Now, groundbreaking new research confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Exercise can slash your dementia risk—but with a surprising twist that eliminates your last excuse for not moving more. Dementia...
The One Supplement I'll Never Stop Taking
Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I’ve continued to take ever since I graduated from medical school. And now, exciting new research confirms what I’ve suspected all along… This remarkable fatty acid doesn’t only support heart and brain health—it could, quite literally, slow down the aging process itself. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats your body...
Your Morning Tea Pulls DOUBLE DUTY as a Heavy Metal Detox
You don’t need another reason to drink tea, do you? You already know tea helps with everything from boosting heart health and metabolism to reducing stress. It’s packed with antioxidants, calms inflammation, and gives you a gentler caffeine boost than coffee. But now researchers have discovered yet another benefit of your daily drink—and this one...
Fiery Spice Cools Painful IBD Inflammation
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine...
Ditch the Coffee Dehydration Myth and Enjoy Java Again
I can’t imagine starting my day without a delicious steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re also a coffee fan, I bet you’ve been treated to well-meaning warnings by the non-Java drinkers… “Coffee is so dehydrating!” “It’s basically stealing water from your body!” “You need to drink extra water to make up for it!” Even...
Research Reveals Loneliness is “Poisoning” Your Blood
We humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences—which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, loneliness and social isolation are alarmingly common in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 25 percent of older people experience social isolation. But new...
Mailbag: Ease Invisible Pain and Fatigue NATURALLY
“Why isn’t there more research on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It’s mainly a woman’s condition and too many health professionals tell us “It’s all in your head,” or words to that effect.” —Fatigued and Fuming Hi Fuming, Your frustration over the lack of research and dismissive attitudes when it comes to fibromyalgia and...