Rx drug abuse

It's such a shame. Mary-Kate Olsen wants immunity before talking to the D.E.A. regarding Heath Ledger's death. Why do people think it's okay to take whatever, whenever? The Church condemns the abuse of illegal (and legal) drugs, obviously, citing the 5th Commandment:

Respect for health

2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts
entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health
care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.

2289 If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it's sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships.

2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea,
or in the air.

2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human
health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

I agree with the Church's interpretation as discussed in the Catechism. However, in a free society, I feel I don't have much power over other besides trying to model those virtues in my own life. If they choose to do harm to themselves and aren't directly harming anyone else, all I can do is pray for them. I guess the bigger problem I have is that people acting foolishly like this scare others about the prescriptions their providers give them and cause undue worry and sometimes harm. I have had to explain many, many times to patients that it's okay to take the Vicodin (morphine, dilaudid, Norco, Ibuprofen, etc.) for pain, that one pill won't result in addiction. I often end up giving a brief summary of the pharmacokinetics of pain medications and how addictions form in order to ease the fears of those prescribed these medications for legitimate purposes. I have also counseled many patients that have unnecessarily suffered out of fear of taking medication, even something as benign as acetaminophen.

Heath Ledger's death is tragic, as is Mary-Kate's involvement. I hope that through his loss we can gain some insight into the problem of drug abuse in our nation and move towards some solution and healing. May the Holy Spirit guide the investigators and open pathways to help for those suffering addiction.