Trends in Prescription Drug Use among the US Teens - Case Study Example

Running Head: Trends in Prescription Drug Use Trends in Prescription Drug Use among U.S. Teens Colleen Kirby-Banas (Indicate the of your University) Abstract More U.S. teenagers are dissuaded in using illegal drugs not because they no longer desire for it or they find it harmful, but alarmingly, they have found a replacement for it which they found equally effective and mistakenly thought to be safer legally and physically – that is no other than prescription drug abuse. Prescription drugs are meant to cure not to harm. In fact, it had performed miracles bringing new life and new hope to ailing people, but recent trends among teenagers in America would suddenly threaten the society’s complacency because varied researches would reveal increasing cases of prescription drug abuse among U.S. teens due to confluence of factors affecting almost all sectors and subjecting the relevance of Human Services. Trends in Prescription Drug Use among U.S. Teens Prescription drug intends to heal not to harm; it seeks to bring hope not despair; it aspires to improve people’s quality of life not to blight; it endeavors to sustain life not to terminate. But despite these noble intentions, there are individuals who misuse and abuse this prescribed drug negating its very purpose for humanity. This decadent act, which in today’s modern world is increasingly manifesting among U.S teens and which, also labeled them the “Generation RX (Teen Drug Abuse [TDA]. 2005, p. 1)” – is called prescription drug abuse. Based on Garrett’s (2005) definition, prescription drug abuse (PDA) may be understood as the unprincipled, immoral, illegal, and excessive use of prescription medications usually of the sedative and narcotic classes causing detriment to the health and safety of the user. (p. 5) From this, it could be construed that taking prescription medications without authentic doctor’s prescription is essentially PDA, the more, if it is consumed for non-medication, but instead to get high. Undeniably, any drug, even marijuana for that matter, when used properly as medication, could result wonders in improving human conditions. This spectacle has continually been positively affecting people’s lives – Since its discovery, prescription drugs have unceasingly creating miracles making surgeries possible, easing pains for millions of people, keeping in check symptoms of chronic medical conditions to control their symptoms, and helping the afflicted to regain productive lives. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [USDHHS], 2004, p. 1). However, varied researches such as those conducted by different government agencies like the National Drug Control Policy (NDCP), National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health Human Service (DHHS) corroborated by concerned private organizations would show that abuse and misuse of any prescription drugs could be as precarious as illegal drugs and disturbingly, it is becoming a widespread practice among US teens today unnoticed by their parents, who ironically are too immersed in earning money for their children’s brighter future, yet without them knowing it, their children’s lives and future are already jeopardized. Prescription drugs are also called over-the-counter drugs because most of them could be bought in drugstores or pharmacies by anyone even without prescriptions. This makes it far more accessible than illegal drugs. And since legitimate users are unsuspecting to its possible abuse and harm, prescription drug is often kept to where it is conspicuous making it easily available to anyone. Apparently, this problem, which today is threatening not only the future of U.S. teens – who in effect embody the future of America because they would later be the future leaders of this nation – but most alarmingly the American families, which are the very foundation of the American society, upon its detection has perturbed different sectors and has cost the U.S government billions of dollars just to monitor the extent of the problem and to arrest or minimize its possible adverse impact. Abuse of Prescription Drugs by U.S. Teens Teen Drug Abuse (TDA) (2005, p.1) reported that unlike in the 60’s, teens today no longer use as much illegal drugs like cocaine, crack, LSD, and ecstasy. Such is good news! For how many decades, at long last, efforts to stop teens from using illegal drugs seem to produce positive result. But regrettably, this report doesn’t warrant victory over illegal drug use because the other side of the truth reveals that kids have actually discovered painkillers and other prescription drugs as effective alternatives to illegal drugs in order to get high. (TDA, 2005, p.1) This report should cause everyone to worry because the very nature of the problem is already disquieting, much more, because the problem is already critically high as vividly illustrated by validated data researched and gathered by disparate bodies. In its analysis of recent trends on the emerging drug threat in 2007, the Office of National Drug Control Policy [NDCP] under the Executive Office of the President cited reports from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH] (2004 and 2006), Substance Abuse & Mental Human Services Administration [SAMHSA] (2006), Treatment Episode Data Set [TEDS] (2006), PATS (2006), Drug Abuse Warning Network [DAWN] (2006), showing that prescription drug abuse among U.S. teens is indeed a serious problem that merits immediate action. Below are the cited reports as collated by NDCP (2007). Teens as young as 12-13 years old are the frequent abusers of prescription drugs; (NSDUH, 2006, as cited in NDCP 2007, p. 2) There are about, 2.1 million teens in 2005 who are found abusing prescription drugs; (NSDUH, 2006, as cited in NDCP 2007, p. 2) In 2005, prescription drugs ranked the second most abused next to marijuana (7%), registering three percent (840,000) teens aged 12-17 malicious users; (NSDUH, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 2) The annual rate of PDA have been highest among teens aged 12-17 next to young adults aged 18-25; (SAMHSA, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 2) In the past year (2005), young people aged 12-25 rather than older adults were more prone to initiate abusing prescription drugs; (SAMHSA, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 2) For the past decade, the number of teens seeking cure for addiction to prescription pain relievers had dramatically gone up by more than 300 percent (TEDS, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 7) Teens abusing prescription medications not prescribed to them count to 4.5 million (19%); (PATS, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p.3) Records of emergency departments show that 48% of all listed cases account to dextromethorphan abuse of young patients aged 12-20 years old; (DAWN, 2006 as cited in NDCP, 2007, p.7) In 2004 to 2005, there had been a 21 percent increase of emergency room visits concerning abuse of prescription drugs. (DAWN, 2007 as cited in NDCP, 2007, p.7) In addition, Partnership for a Drug Free America’s annual tracking study has reported an increased ratio in the number of teens abusing prescription medications such as stimulants, tranquilizers and cough medications. (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services [OASAS], 2007, p. 2).” The above data sufficiently prove that prescription drugs, which are unguardedly lying comfortably in places where teens usually thrive, as in schools and homes, suddenly become threats because these drugs are being misused and abused by young people who are more vulnerable physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically. Factors contributing to prescription drug abuse by teens. Issues surrounding the sudden escalation in the abuse of prescribed drugs by U.S. teens today could be best viewed from different perspectives for a deeper understanding of this phenomenal problem. In her testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, Committee on Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives, Volkow (2006), has categorically acknowledged that the proliferation of prescription drugs, its unregulated distribution, the insatiable desire of drug companies for bigger profit and the growing dependency of the American people to medications have more likely contributed to the recent increase in the extent of prescription drug abuse in this country. (p. 4) This view has been shared by experts like Dr. Steven Jaffe, an adolescent psychologist, who calls this age – “the age of medication … due to the tremendous amounts of all sorts of medicine readily available almost everywhere (Connect with Kids [CWK], 2008, p. 1).” He further affirmed that “since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves prescription drugs, teens mistakenly believe that using these drugs – even if they don’t have a prescription is safe (Connect with Kids [CWK], 2008, p. 1).” The proliferation of prescription drug and its unregulated distribution are further validated by different government agencies tasked to monitor illegal drug use. Teens have three easy ways to obtain prescription drugs: either take them free-of-charge from a relative or friend (47%), or buy it from a relative or friend (10%), or get them without asking (10%); (NSDUH, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 4) Teens say they easily accessed prescription pain relievers from their parent’s medicine cabinets (62% or 14.6 million), or they could buy it using other people’s prescriptions (50% or 11.9 million), or worst, they could avail it everywhere (52% or 12.3 million). (PATS, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 4) Other teens aged 14-20 years old (39%) admit easily getting prescription drugs on line or by phone. Of this total, more girls than boys said it was easy (48% vs. 31%). (Teen-age Research Unlimited [TRU], 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 4) But what makes prescription drug abuse more captivating to teens is not only its accessibility but more of the misconception that prescription drugs are safer replacements for illegal drugs -- safer in the sense that, its use does not warrant arrest unlike with the use of illegal drugs; also because it is actually a medication drug not aiming to harm. PATS (2006) reported that a considerable number of teens believe that prescription medicines, even without doctor’s prescription are safer to use compared to illegal drugs (4 out of 10), and there is nothing wrong about this especially so when it is done only once in a while (31% or 6.8 million) and that non-prescribed use of prescription pain relievers are not addictive (29% or 6.8 million). (As cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 3) Another factor, which usually goads teens to do things imprudently, is sheer peer pressure. Peer pressure at this stage of human development is very strong because of the need to be accepted or to belong. Thirty percent of teens confess peer acceptance compels them to abuse prescription drugs, and nine percent disclose that to fit-in with their peers it is vital to use prescription drugs to get high. (Seventeen, 2006, as cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 3) Curiosity -- a natural state of this age could also be among the factors. Teens love to discover new things. This tendency and for some, urge to explore new things give them the courage to take risk and experiment. This actually if used in the proper context is critical to teens emotional and mental growth, however, if not, may lead to unhealthy habits and activities just like this so-called prescription drug abuse. Boyd, McCabe, Cranford and Young (2006) stated that teens abuse prescription medicine not only to get high, but also to lessen pain or anxiety, to sleep better, to experiment, to sharpen concentration, or to be more alert or vigilant. (As cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 3) Kennedy and Kennedy (1999) on their part noted that “the use of drugs for enhancing sporting performance is widespread and has been documented in Europe, North America, and Australia (p.1).” It is also useful to note that the abusers’ medical history and family background should also be studied to determine the susceptibility of anyone to abuse drug, be it illegal or prescribed. Garrett (2002) disclosed the correlation of the abuser’s medical history with his or her inclination to abuse drugs. He explained that individuals who are alcoholics, personally or socially maladjusted, depressed, chronically ill, stressed appear to be more likely to abuse prescription drugs than those who are not. (p.7) Prescription drugs commonly abused by teens. Although any drug could be abused, not all could provide the effect desired by the user, specifically, if the user looks for the similar effect supplied by illegal drugs. For example, Partnership for a Drug Free America [PDFA] (2008) and TDA (2005) explained that “abusing painkillers is like abusing heroin because their ingredients (both are opioids) are very similar (p. 3 and p. 2).” For this matter, the National Drug Intelligence Center [NDIC] (2002) stated that among the substances most commonly abused by young people in the United States are generally psychotherapeutic prescription medications comprised of prescription-type pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives. (p. 1) “Opioids are commonly prescribed because of their effective analgesic or pain relieving properties… Among the drugs that fall within this class – sometimes referred to as narcotics – are morphine, codeine, and related drugs (USDHHS, 2004, p. 2).” Also this can induce euphoria or ecstasy (NDIC, 2002, p 2), which is what the abusers yearn for. On the other hand, CNS depressants, which are categorized as barbiturates or tranquilizers and benzodiazepines or sedatives, generally slow down the normal functioning of the brain. These are usually recommended by medical practitioners to remedy anxiety, tensions, sleep disorders, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks because of their calming effect. (USDHHS, 2004, p. 2 and NDIC, 2002, p 2) While contrary to depressants, stimulants boost brain activity, that’s why they are used to cure attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and obesity because they increase alertness, attention and energy (USDHHS, 2004, p. 2, Volkow, 2006, p. 3 and NDIC, 2002, p 2), which these ailments needed. Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse on Teenagers The effects of prescription drugs are truly wonderful, in fact in extreme cases even magical, but once they are abused could produce irreparably fatal result. Anything that is too much is dangerous. This is equally true to drugs. Any drug if prescribed correctly and used properly is good to health, but, once it is misused and abused, similarly with illegal drugs, its effect may not only be irreversibly incapacitating but even life-threatening. (NDIC, 2002, p. 1 and Volkow, 2006, p. 7) More dangerously, prescription drugs when mixed with other drugs or chemicals in the body can be more hazardous to health. (Volkow, 2006, p. 7 and TDA, 2005, p. 2) NDIC (2002) warned that “young people who abuse prescription drugs put themselves at risk of experiencing dangerous effects (p 1).” This is so because young people are not yet fully developed. In fact, they are still in the process of physiological and psychological development making them more vulnerable than older adults. Because of this, they could easily be damaged by the harmful effects of prescription drug abuse. This may cause them to end up in total mess, not knowing how, where, and when to or could restart again, and worst, may end up dead at a very young age, unable to fulfill their dream. The following data would show how the three categories of prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens could actually deter their physical, mental and emotional growth. “Opioids: A large, single dose can cause severe respiratory depression and death. Long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction (CWK, 2008, p. 3).” Depressants: Abuse of depressants can cause seizures, respiratory depression, and decreased heart rate (NDIC, 2002, August, p. 2, tab. 1) and its “long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction (CWK, 2008, p. 3).” Stimulants: Very high doses can lead to high body temperature, irregular heart rate, cardiovascular system failure, fatal seizures, hostility or feelings of paranoia. (CWK, 2008, p. 3 and NDIC, 2002, p. 2) Furthermore, the CDC (2007) reported that the most recent research on deaths in the U.S. due to poisoning from1999-2004 shows that almost all poison deaths in the country are drug-related, specifically, prescription and illegal drug abused and that there is a 62.5 percent increase of these deaths (1999=12,186 to 2004=20,950) (As cited in NDCP, 2007, p. 2) As oftentimes the case, prescription drug abuse could negatively alter the psychological state of the user. To this Garrett (2002) pointed out, “As time goes on the person becomes less and less like their normal ‘pre-addiction’ self and more and more akin to the stereotypical substance addict (p. 9).” He added, “Ethical deterioration in the form of dishonesty, secrecy, manipulation, lying and even stealing is a frequent accompaniment of many advanced addictions (Garrett, 2002, p. 9),” which consequentially could muddle up the abuser’s social life until the abuser no longer knows healthy socialization. Volkow (2006) testified that since the prefrontal cortex – the brain’s part that controls functions – matures last, the damaging effect of the abused prescription drugs on the brain may have caused teens inclination to risk-taking and high risk behaviors. (p. 6) Drug abusers, whether of illegal or prescribed drugs most often than not get in trouble at home, at school, with friends, or with the law. Experience has shown that someone abusing any drugs is more likely to be a criminal, be a victim of a crime, or be accident-prone. According to Garrett (2002) “addictive persons invariably experience and almost always manifest impairment in their thinking, feeling and actions (p. 9).” This consequentially results to “intermittent confusion, memory loss, impaired judgment, personality change, emotional disturbance (depression, mood instability, irritability), social withdrawal and physical incoordination and sluggishness leading to falls, accidents and injuries (Garrett, 2002, p. 9).” Many cases have already proven that drug abuse, even of prescription medication, will ultimately destroy the users’ life in all aspects, affecting all facets of their life taking even the very essence of their being to the point of no return. Implications of the Increasing Problem on Prescription Drug Abuse by U.S. Teens Analysis of the increasing problem on PDA among US teens opened doors that lead to deeper problems encroaching into the moral fibers of this country. 1. The inevitably damaging effects of PDA on teenage users threaten not only them but more importantly, future of their generation and also the generation next to them. These young people, who are currently highly threatened by PDA, will in the future be the leaders of this country. Imagine what would happen to this country if it would be led by a bunch of drug impaired leaders. How could this young people fulfill their societal role – to prepare a better world for the next generation, if this alarming trend on PDA will not be corrected? 2. With the rise of PDA among US teens, the more American families are confronted with their most challenging battles in this complex modern society today and that is raising their teenagers, drug free. (TDA, 2005) On the contrary, however, families have contributed to the increasing problem of the country in PDA among teens. Teens typically obtain prescription drugs very easily from family members. In fact, parents themselves unwittingly formed the idea in their children that prescription drugs could be safely taken even without genuine medical prescription because parents usually give their children over-the-counter drugs to treat simple pains such as headache, toothache, etc. not realizing its negative impact on their kids. Similarly unknowing of the possible harm of prescription medication on their children, family members are rarely careful in keeping their medications away from children. 3. The rise of PDA among teenagers consequentially results to high crime rate ranging from petty to serious crimes anywhere there is a drug abuser. And high crime rate will not bring the economy up but down, giving the community a bleak future. Neighborhoods will be marred with violence, discomfort, distrust, fear, and uncertainty. Places will no longer be safe. Authorities will be challenged. Social service expenses will get high. In short, nothing good will emerge from this, not unless if families and communities worked closely together to overturn this problem which is almost plaguing our teens. 4. Human service providers, themselves, that should have been protecting this vulnerable section of the populace are, unwittingly, a party to this problem. The growing trend of prescription drug abuse among U.S. teens should put HS, especially health human service providers into scrutiny. They should assess practices that may have led or contributed – directly or indirectly to this problem contrary to its perceived given role. For example, “some unscrupulous pharmacists or medical professionals steal drugs or sell fraudulent prescriptions. In a process known as doctor shopping, abusers visit several doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions. Individuals also call pharmacies with fraudulent prescription refills, or altered prescriptions (NDIC, 2003, q. 5, par. 1).” 5. The growing problem on PDA among teens challenges the very essence, relevance and efficiency of HS in this country. Although it is true that there are different government agencies the government is spending on to solve or at least curb drug abuse and yet drugs proliferate in the market easily accessible to anybody – who is not sufficiently aware on its possible dangers – putting this country in a sudden predicament where prescribed drugs meant originally to cure have suddenly become a poison that has slowly crept into homes, schools, everywhere. This unexpected problem also implies that health human services in this country lack the ability to foresee possible problems that could have resulted from some prior actions. 6. Factors contributing to the rise of PDA among US teens can be divided into two: the intrinsic and the extrinsic. The intrinsic refers to the overall state of the user, while the extrinsic refers to the external factors influencing the intrinsic. The intrinsic factors, which are: the teens’ misconception of PDA; their longing to belong, to be accepted, to be popular; and their curiosity and insecurities, which are only normal at their developmental stage expose the defects of the basic social institution of this society – the family. Ironically, parents work to death to earn a living in order to satisfy family needs’ with the hope of keeping their families secure and intact, but on the contrary their pursuit for higher earning denies them the quality time critical to make their families intact. 7. This growing problem on PDA among teens also ascertains the crucial role of education in the total development not only of the individual, but also of the whole society, emphasizing that ignorance, miseducation, and little knowledge can be lethal. “Many teens think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without prescription to get high or ‘self-medicate’ can be as dangerous – and addictive – as using street narcotics and other illicit drugs (PDFA, 2008, p.1).” Education for this matter to be effective should be a concerted effort of family, school and the community, because the problem is both a result of the combined weaknesses of these social groupings and in return is also affecting all. Conclusion Trends in prescription drug use among US teens are very annoying. All data clearly point to one threatening truth – increasing number of US teens is abusing this substance in replacement of illegal drugs mistakenly believing that it is safer and to their convenience, is very accessible and much affordable. But the core of the matter is teens came to discover this unhealthy practice in desperate search of refuge which unfortunately, is unintentionally being denied from them by the very institution meant to protect them – their families that are more consumed of earning a living for them. And to make matters worst, this has been indirectly allowed by this society’s blindness bordering to indifference due to its insatiable race for earnings, earnings, and much more earnings. Abuse of drugs – illicit or prescribed – is addictive, and the effect of addiction is a vicious cycle wherein although people know how to root out the problem, still, it could not easily be stopped but it could easily influence and affect others, as exactly as what is happening in this society today. The effects of the increasing PDA among teens are not only head aching and emotionally exhausting but are also more costly to all stakeholders – the user, the family, and the Human Services. But most frightening of all is that its effects are lasting – leaving a deep scarce that will be hard to or may no longer be expunged. Recommendations The causes and impacts of PDA among teens are societal. Therefore, its solution should also be societal and this should be done comprehensively attacking all aspects that has contributed or may hinder the process of healing. 1. Rehabilitate the PDA victims – meaning the user together with their families in a communicative and collaborative way. Rehabilitation shall be all-sided, because as has been discussed earlier, teen abuse drugs because of varied reasons, and each case is unique from each other. It would then be best to root out first the emergence of the problem and from this, determine which among the possible reason the key to the whole process of rehabilitation is. Love, time, and attention are necessary elements of this process, and nothing can take their place. 2. Prevent further PDA cases by educating the whole American population through families, schools, mass media and churches regarding drug abuse and addiction – by illicit and prescribed drugs and by all means possible, also by strengthening regulatory laws regarding drug production, distribution, acquisition and consumption and by strictly monitoring the implementation of these laws. Although effective regulatory laws may not guarantee zero drug abuse case, most likely it will greatly lessen cases. 3. Strengthen the basic institution of this society – the family as extended to the school – that is primarily tasked in nurturing and bringing up children into strong, morally upright individuals and citizens in a society battered with many flaws thereby enabling them to be wise in their life choices even in worst situations. This is very crucial in the overall battle against drug abuse because no matter what may be the circumstance the individual is into, in the final analysis his or her action is still his or her own choice. So it could still happen that even how rigid regulations are in place, but if the individual is ill-prepared in facing life’s challenges, most likely the individual will still fall into drug abuse, but if the individual possessed a good disposition in life, even with drugs scattered around him or her, it is most likely that he or she will not resort to drug abuse. 4. Look into the extent of Human Services participation and responsibility on this problem. There are cases that human service providers themselves suffer the same predicament with their patient; there are also cases that human service providers themselves are accomplices to unethical drug distribution – these negate the very being of Human Services. Thus it should assess itself and reorient its focus, strategy and delivery of services to be true to its role – to improve the quality of life of service populations. Reference List Connect with Kids. (2008, July 2). Prescription drug abuse. Retrieved from, http://connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/392_jul2/thisweek/080702_drug.shtml. Garrett, Floyd P., M.D. (2002). Prescription drug abuse. Psychiatry and Wellness. Retrieved from http://www.bma-wellness.com/papers/Prescription_Abuse.html#The%20DSM-IV(“Diagnostic%20and%20Statistical%20Manual,%20Fourth%20Edition”)%20of%20the Kennedy, Michael C. & Kennedy, Judith R. (1999). Ethics of prescribing drugs to enhance sporting performance. The Medical Journal of Australia, 171, 204-205. Retrieved from http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/171_4_160899/kennedy/kennedy.html. National Drug Control Policy. (2007, February). Teens and Prescription Drugs: An analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat. Retrieved from http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov. National Drug Intelligence Center. (2002, August). Prescription drug abuse and youth. (Product No. 2002-L0424-004). Johnstown, PA: Government Printing Office. Retrieved from http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs1/1765/index.htm#Overview (2003, July). Prescription drugs fast facts, questions and answers. (Product No. 2003-L0559-013). Johnstown, PA: NDIC. Retrieved from http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs5/5140/index.htm. Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. (2007, December 17). Prescription drug abuse. Retrieved from http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/Admed/rx/rebuse.cfm Teen Drug Abuse (2005, June 12). Teenage prescription drug abuse. Retrieved from http://www.teendrugabuse.us/prescription_drug_abuse.html The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. (2008, June 7). Prescription medicine abuse: A serious problem. Retrieved from http://www.drugfree.org/Parent/Resources/Prescription_Medicine_Misuse U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004, June 01) Prescription drugs and pain medications. WebMD. Retrieved from http:// www.webmd.com?pain-management/prescription-drugs-pain-medications?page=1-2 Volkow, Nora D., M.D., (Director, NIDA). (2006, July 26). Testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, Committee on Government Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives: Prescription Drug Abuse. Washington, D.C.: U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t060726a.html. Read More