Addiction
by
Prescription

One Woman's Triumph
and Fight for Change
Joan E. Gadsby

Internationally Endorsed by Experts

Joan E. Gadsby is recognized internationally as an authority, consultant, lecturer and public speaker on the responsible and informed use of benzodiazepines (tranquillizers and sleeping pills) and anti-depressants.

Gadsby received an Honourary PhD in Prescription Drug Addiction, Medical Research, Public Health and Promotion based on her previous academic studies, professional skills/experience, her 12 years of intensive research in this field and her internationally endorsed book "Addiction By Prescription: One Woman's Triumph and Fight for Change."

Her PhD was granted by the Alternative Medicines Research with head office in the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar (whose mission is education, advocacy and research) and which is affiliated with the Open International University for Complementary and Alternative Medicines. The program is accredited by the American Naturopathic Medical Association, the American Alternative Medical Association, the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and recognized by the World Organization for Alternative Medicine.

Joan received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, English and Journalism from the University of Western Ontario, and did post graduate studies in the MBA program at the University of British Columbia in Marketing and Industrial Relations.

She is also Co Executive Producer and Research Consultant of the television documentary "Our Pill Epidemic: The Shocking Story of a Society Hooked on Drugs" which is available on video and for international broadcast.

A former Marketing Executive with four of Canada's largest companies and a former poll-topping elected Councillor for 13 years in North Vancouver, she is President/Owner of Market Media International Corporation which provides consulting services in strategic marketing and planning, public affairs, government relations and issues management.

A Wellness and Health Promotion Consultant to international corporations, governments, healthcare organizations/individuals and for medical/legal issues on prescription drug addiction, Joan continues to make regular appearances on television, radio, the internet and through other media, in addition to speaking and lecturing at Universities, international/world conferences and at health and wellness shows on prescription drug addictions and mental health.

In 1994, Joan was selected as one of Canada's notable women, by the Canadian University Women's Club and has served on the National Board of Women Entrepreneurs of Canada and is a member of the International Alliance of Professional and Executive Women and a long term member of the Vancouver Board of Trade. She is also Vice President of the International Benzodiazepine Awareness Network (BAN).

She has many other professional/business affiliations and recognitions and has done extensive volunteer and community work.

Her future projects include 2 film projects: a feature film/movie of the week based on her book "Addiction By Prescription" and an expanded international Television documentary to be filmed in 5 countries.

This powerful documentary will investigate the shocking story of a world society hooked on drugs, the creation of drug-induced illnesses and a worldwide health care system that turns millions of unsuspecting men and women of all ages and children into "Accidental Addicts."

The documentary will expose how prescription drug addiction to mind and mood altering drugs such as benzodiazepines (tranquillizers and sleeping pills) i.e. Valium, Librium, Dalmane, Serax, Xanax, Restoril, Ativan, Rivotril, and addiction to anti-depressants such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and Effexor is far more gripping and debilitating than addiction to heroin or cocaine and a much bigger and more insidious problem affecting more people worldwide than illegal drugs.

The program will reveal the promotional and marketing strategies of the multi billion dollar pharmaceutical industry, the high socio-economic costs associated with prescription drug addiction, class action lawsuits, personal stories of the "walking wounded," worldwide research and the roles of international organizations including the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

An active mother and a classic car and convertible enthusiast, Joan enjoys regular running, nature photography, music, travel, reading, and fashion designing.

Updated April 2009

Since writing her internationally endorsed book"Addiction By Prescription" published in 2000,Joan has continued with great persistence and dedication to create awareness and bring about  much overdue systemic change worldwide re addictive prescription drugs - benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Joan views antidepressants as the follow up to valium 20 years later.

Based on her many years of comprehensive research into addictive prescription drugs and through her own experience, Joan received an Honorary PhD for her work in this field in which she has become an internationally recognized authority,educator,advocate and presenter at many international conferences.

She also continues to do media interviews throughout North America and in was in Washington,D.C filming a television program for the Retirement Living Network several years ago.

Joan also provides medical and legal consulting services to various clients including  lawyers, mostly in North America as her time permits.

A  feature film/movie project based on her book is in the development stage and remains a passion and  priority for Joan.

In 2003 after 12 years of costly and frustrating litigation against her former doctor and  former lawyer( who was found to be egregiously negligent in the first trial), Joan made the difficult  decision not to continue with a further Appeal  and to move on with her life leaving behind over $2 million in economic losses  and damages from her former prescription drug addiction.

Joan has been off all prescription drugs for over 18 years now,has rebuilt her health,her family and her life and firmly believes God kept her alive from her unintentional overdose in February 1990 when she almost died ,to continue to carry on her important  message of the horrific effects  of addictive prescription drugs - an accidental and doctor induced addiction.Denial,ignorance and apathy unfortunately continue today  within the medical profession while drug companies continue to be motivated primarily  by money and bottom line profits for these addictive drugs.

Joan  has returned to her career in marketing and property development as President of her own company, Market Media International Corporation  and in 2005  she  bought  3 acres of oceanview property on which she is developing and building 31 villas  in an exclusive niche market community in West Sechelt on the scenic Sunshine Coast in British Columbia,Canada under the
name of Seaview Villa Estates. Joan is President of Seaview Villa Estates

web site www.seaviewvillaestates.com.

The tragic deaths of Joan's 2 beloved children,Derek in December 25,1966 with a brain tumour and Deb , May 1,1999  of breast cancer continue to have profound effects on Joan's life.Both are in her heart ,thoughts  and prayers daily.

The birth of her 2 grandchildren,Veronica who is 6 and August who is 3 to her daughter Carrie and her husband David,a former New Yorker,and who live minutes away from Joan's home in North Vancouver,Canada have brought new love,joy and meaning to her life.