BTL Blog Comments

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:49:1259610567 GMT

I'm a soon-to-be-nurse. I want to work in an emergency department because I cope best when under pressure. I love researching unusual medical problems. I love the idea of working hard and working fast.

However, I am acutely aware that a large portion of my patients will be admitted to hospital for; drug overdoses, drug abuse, drug induced psychosis, alcohol abuse and alcohol overdose.

This frustrates me enormously. If you've ever been to emergency for a medical problem I'm sure you'll know what I mean. The waiting times are very long, the staff often hardened by years of being on the recieving end of too much abuse.

I was in emergency a few months ago after nearly going into heart failure from a medical condition I have. I was the only under 25 they'd had in that WEEK who wasn't in for something related to alcohol or drugs. To be told that was staggering.

There's been talk recently about making people pay if they end up in emergency from their own alcohol/drug mistakes. I don't agree with that - because I think it will make people apprehensive to ask for treatment. But I really think maybe there need to be greater awareness campaings.

The world is a whole lot bigger than your binge drinking and the emergency department isn't just to treat drug abuse or prevent you from getting a hangover the next morning.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:31:1259584270 GMT

Anecdotally, selling 5-packs is not new... Most people take pills with their friends. I wouldn't assume from the existence of 'packs' that an individual intends to or ends up taking all 5. Though I'm sure there are other interpretations. And it's unfortunate if there are people prepared to take all 5 at once (!)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:44:1259527468 GMT

I would not be comfortable taking five pills at once. In fact my friend left 'spare' pills behind rather than take them to the Stereosonic festival.

My own experiences have taught me to be careful of carrying spare pills around. It can be tempting to keep chasing another rush... and has lead to some stupid behaviour that I haven't wanted to repeat...

It can be hard to control urges when you're already under the influence.