We live in a world and time when we’re fortunate enough to have medications to take that will, hopefully, alleviate any discomfort/issue we have with our body at a given time.

However, after a 21-year-old college student from the UK died as a result of diet pills bought online, The Mentor editorial board sat down to take a closer look at how casual and attainable pills and medications have become.

The diet pills consumed by Eloise Aimee Parry contained a toxic chemical called dinitrophenol or DNT and even taking two pills at a time would contain a deadly dosage — Parry took eight. Medications have warning and dosage labels for a reason, and while she was taking diet pills that goes for any and all over the counter medications. Even acetaminophen is harmful when taken in too large of doses. We feel that as a whole our society needs to be more conscious of the chemicals they’re putting in their body and what the real effects could be.

Another thing to be cautious about is medication not yet approved by the FDA. There are standards and regulations for a reason and just because a pill is available to you online doesn’t mean it’s something that’s safe to take. There are also times when it may not be necessary for you to take medication, even if you feel discomfort. Fevers, for example, aren’t dangerous until they reach a certain point. Next time you’re about to take Tylenol for a headache or fever maybe try to hold off and see if it resolves itself, or take something a little easier on your liver — like Ibuprofen. There are alternative and options and we should all be aware and informed on such things.

Do your research. Make yourself educated on the things you’re consuming. Think about the consequences. Follow doctor’s instructions.

Don’t make yourself a victim.