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* Q. BUY YOUR COLLEGE RING FOR $1.00 (and get a nickel change) NO KIDDING! Drugs used as escape —abuse among women by Tom Basinski Spectrum Staff Writer With the ringing of screaming kids and barking dogs still in her ears, the harried housewife seeks relief. She calls her doctor. In receiving a prescription for a mild tranquilizer, she starts on the road that could lead to drug abuse and addiction. BY “Six to ten percent of all American adults have significant problems with the use oT alcohol or other drugs. Doctor* today write an estimated 90 million prescriptions annually for chemicals intended to calm the nerves, and an estimated one to two million women have mental problems because of prescription drugs,” according to Peggy Andrews, Director of Womanfocus. Womanfocus is a counseling and educational center funded by the Erie County Department of Mental Health and the New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services. Womanfocus strives to aid and educate women who have problems with “soft drugs;” drugs which are legally available by prescription. “The center provides short term individual and group counseling as well as reference to other programs that offer more in depth treatment,” Andrews said. Wednesday & Thursday (Nov. 28th and 29th) - from 10 am - 4 pm UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORES ECONOMICS STUDENTS Need dope to cope Why does the program deal strictly with women? “Sixty million American women use prescribed tranquilizers, namely Valium, sedatives or stimulants compared ttf 36 million men,” said Andrews. Five Western New York pharmacists concurred that women request a greater number of Valium prescriptions. Between January and March of this year two million Valium tablets were dispensed in Erie County alone, according to Andrews. Andrews felt that personal problems and pressure of society in general were major contributors to the abuse of both prescription and non-prescription drugs. She pointed out a misconception held by many women: because a drug is prescribed by a physician, then it is totally safe. The Undergraduate Economics Association and the Department of Economics Present: A CAREER SEMINAR IN ECONOMICS The abuse extends beyond prescription drugs. Aspirin and alcohol are high on the list of abused and suicide-related drugs. Speakers “Some doctors are too lenient with the use of tranquilizers and only compound the problem by treating the symptoms rather than the problems,” Andrews added. She stressed the need for cooperation between patient and physician, and urged women not to be afraid to question their doctor when he prescribes a tranquilizer. She also pointed out that Womanfocus sponsors a stress workshop for women as well as assertiveness training with an emphasis on teaching new skills and alternative methods of dealing with stress. Industry Union Carbide Banking M&T Bank Government N. Y, Dept, of Labor PH.D in Economics UB Dept of Economics According to Mrs. Andrews, women who work at home, women in mid-life change and women who undergo physical changes such as a mastectomy or an abortion are the three main groups involved in Womanfocus. M.B.A. UB School of Management The abuse extends beyond prescription drugs. Aspirin and alcohol are high on the list of abused and suicide-related drugs. “This is a reflection of the misinformation concerning over-the- counter drugs,” Andrews said. WHERE: 107 O'Brian Hall WHEN: Today, Wed. Nov. 28th at 4:00 pm Andrews also maintained that of the 425,543 women over the age of 16 residing in Erie County, only.,37 percent were employed outside the home. She felt this was an important factor in the abuse of drugs by women. “Some women, faced with loneliness and lack of personal satisfaction, turn to drugs for relief,” she explained. “Women are portrayed in drug advertising as dependent, infantile and self-centered, according to Psychiatrist Robert Seidenberg. This only reinforces the social pressure placed on women, Andrews said, adding that this coping mechanism can become a trip to the doctor’s office for a tranquilizer. . Womanfocus, formerly called the West Side Counseling Center, is open to anyone who might need assistance. No appointment is necessary. The center is located at 43 Court Street in Suite 200 and can be reached by telephone at 842-1766. ALL ECONOMICS STUDENTS ARE URGED TO ATTEND Wine & Cheese will be served THIS IS HOW: Select any style ring m Lustrium* for $68.95 Trade In your boys 10K Gold High School Ring — Credit (Girls 10K High School Ring Trade In Credit $30.00) Balance in Cash $68.00 - ”T95 •LUSTRIUM - Americas newest fine jewelers alloy, with jostens famous lifetime warranty.
