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Dear Editor:
It's impossible for us as a society to ignore the fact that there's an enormous benzodiazepine problem alongside the methamphetamine and opioid epidemics. Right now, there's a new generation of addicts who are observably straight-laced, good kids from middle-class and upper-middle class families.
But what's not seen by casual observation is their compulsive popping of "Xannies" or "benzos," otherwise known as tranquilizers and anti-anxiety medication. The most commonly abused benzodiazepines are Xanax, Klonipin, and Valium.
Believe it or not, a lot of American households have those drugs readily available in their bathroom medicine cabinets, ready to be swiped. The unfortunate part is that these kids don't realize how dangerous Xanax is. They don't realize that they can not only become extremely addicted to it, but if they abruptly stop taking it they can have a grand-mal seizure, not to mention other medical complications.
American youth are unfortunately being influenced by rappers with face tattoos who completely glorify abusing Xanax. It's insane. We need to do something about this crisis because it's worsening each day.
For more information on benzodiazepine abuse, go to https://www.narconon-suncoast.org/blog/hooked-on-bars-what-to-know-before-you-get-xanned-out.html

If you need a referral to a treatment center, call Narconon at 1-888-824-1621.

Thank You,
Jason Good
Community Relations Director,
Narconon
Clearwater, FL