Suicide rate climbs among middle-age adults

Recently, suicide rates have been on a climb again, after falling for more than a decade. It was found that virtually all of the increase was attributable to a nearly 16 percent jump in suicides among people ages 40 to 64, a group not commonly seen as high risk.

One possibility is thought to be the concurrent increase in abuse of prescription pain pills, such as OxyContin. Studies have shown that people who abuse drugs are at greater risk for suicide. Another possible explanation is the drop in hormone-replacement therapy after it was linked to health risks in 2002. Women who gave up the drugs or decided not to take them might have been more susceptible to depression and, potentially, suicide.

This item really shows the potential danger of oxycontin, not just physically but mentally as well. It's high time to really make a change for the better and it starts by quitting the addiction that has led many to perish.