Dr Drew On the Death of Jeff Conaway: "Jeff is another pharmaceutical death from the overutilization of prescription drugs."

We lost Jeff Conaway -- a tremendously gifted (and under-acknowledged) Broadway, TV (Taxi) and film actor (Grease), who recently became well known for his history of substance abuse.

Dr Drew Pinsky treated Conaway on Celebrity Rehab, and recently commented that there is no evidence showing Jeff died from an overdose stating, "This was aspiration with overwhelming pneumonia and sepsis."

Dr Drew also said Jeff's condition was inevitable because the actor had been a serious abuser of prescription drugs for years, and the constant substance abuse wore down his body.

Question: Who's monitoring the patient?

This story is nothing new. Anyone could read this and name at least a dozen other people who've died prescription drug-related deaths in recent years. So if we are aware of the problem, why does it continue? Have we really become this irresponsible?

It has been reported time and again that the US loses more people to overuse of prescription drugs than to auto accidents:

http://hometestingblog.testcountry.com/?p=4099

http://news.injuryboard.com/prescription-drug-deaths-surpass-fatal-auto-accidents-in-15-states.aspx?googleid=271936

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33091645/ns/health-addictions/t/drug-deaths-outpace-car-crashes-more-states/

http://promises.com/promisesnews/articles/overdose/drugs-causing-more-deaths-than-auto-crashes-in-many-states-2/

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009985051_drugdeaths02m.html

When will it stop? When people are educated to cope with their issues using other (and safer) means.

Don't rely on anyone (or our government) to teach you how to take better care of yourself -- especially when any education may even slightly suggest the reduction of pharmaceutical use. It's up to each of us to step up, take responsibility and educate ourselves, our families and communities how to better manage our own health and well being.

It may surprise you to know that medical doctors do not receive nutritional training in medical school. They are taught to use pharmaceuticals as routine first line treatment. That said, I don't suggest going off drugs your doctor has prescribed for you without their knowledge. I do suggest learning about other means to assist with a given health issue. There are plenty of resources available -- especially with internet access. Seek the help of a naturopath, nutritionist or other holistic practitioner in your city who can assist with optimizing your lifestyle choices. That's right -- choices. There are usually plenty of choices in many cases -- many people aren't aware of them until they investigate their options.

So, dare to think outside the box, and find very simple, very available, and very inexpensive safe alternatives to assist with a myriad of health issues.

In the very best of health,

OC