For this task, explore the use and abuse of drugs taken for chronic pain (known as analgesics) and compare narcotic analgesics (those prescribed by a physician) with OTC analgesics. You will create a chart that includes the following:
The category of the drug (prescription, opioid, OTC)
Specific examples of narcotic analgesics and OTC analgesics
The risks of abuse for these two types of analgesics
The routes of administration for these particular drugs
The manner of absorption
The site of action
The prime effects and side effects of these drugs
The risks of addiction to analgesics and description of how it typically occurs
The age groups most likely to abuse this substance
After you have created your comparison chart, write a summary paper that uses your critical thinking skills to discuss whether these drugs are sufficiently controlled by current law and what can be done to prevent or minimize addiction to prescription drugs.
Your paper should be supported by reference to at least three articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 5 years. You may also find additional information at the NIDA InfoFacts website. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.
