November 10, 2012

Prescription Drug Abuse

Some of the most popular and deadly recreational drugs abused in America today may be as close as your family’s medicine cabinet or in your e-mail inbox. A former addict shares his story. Then, high school football is as American as apple pie. But you’ll be blown away by new research into how many young athletes have brain injuries that are never diagnosed. Plus, the most cost-efficient ways to go green in your household.

Episode Segments:

InfoTrak: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict Prescription drug abuse has eclipsed the use of illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth. Former prescription drug addict Joshua Lyon, author of Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict says accessibility of these drugs--paired with a false perception of their safety—has contributed to their popularity among America's twenty-something youth. He shared his story of addiction and rehab, and offered advice to those who are struggling with addiction.
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InfoTrak: Head Games Thomas Talavage, PhD, Associate Professor at the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University was the lead author of a study that examined brain injuries to high school football players who did not receive a concussion. He found that top players received an average of 1,800 major impacts to the head in a season, and that many of them experienced measurable declines in cognitive function. He offered suggestions for players, parents and coaches on how to reduce the amount of brain trauma a player may receive.
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InfoTrak: Living Green Susan Carpenter, environmental reporter and columnist for the Los Angeles Times spent two years and thousands of dollars transforming her California home into a test case for sustainable living. She talked about some of the most cost-efficient ways to go “green,” along with some of the less successful projects. She outlined the easiest ways the average person can improve their environmental footprint.
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Links to Related Websites:

Pill Head: The Secret Life Of A Painkiller Addict Pill Head is a compelling and honest book in which one man examines his own addiction, while investigating the growing epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse among today's Generation Rx. Joshua Lyon uncovers the truth of recreational drug use to provide a story not just of descent, but of determination, a message of encouragement for anyone who is wrestling to overcome, who is looking for the strength to heal.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Joshua Lyon JOSHUA LYON is a journalist who has worked for several magazines including Interview, Conde Nast Traveler, V Life, and Jane. He has also contributed to New York, Out, Vice and Nylon, was a field producer for the award-winning Sundance Channel documentary series TransGeneration, and for six months in the year 2000 he was a weed delivery boy. His memoir Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Pain Killer Addict is published by Hyperion and all began with a small investigative piece on online pharmacies, for Jane magazine. Click here to visit his website