Prescription Drug Abuse

PA Schools to Launch Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Program

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on February 24th, 2012

Schools in Pennsylvania are set to launch a program that will focus on the prevention of prescription drug abuse among middle and high school students.

teen prescription drug abuseThe program, called “Consequences: Rx Abuse,” will be formally launched on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Mechanicsburg School District in Cumberland County. Its objective is to spread awareness among students, parents, and teachers across Pennsylvania regarding the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, as well as the lasting consequences that it may have on young people.

Linda L. Kelly, Attorney General of Pennsylvania, shared: “Prescription drug abuse is now the nation’s fastest growing problem… It has been classified as an epidemic by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the illegal diversion and sale of prescription drugs serves as a major gateway to other forms of substance abuse.”

Kelly shared the following disturbing reality: “Middle school and high school students are abusing prescription medications at an alarming rate… Teens believe that these drugs are safer than street drugs. Our goal is to change common misconceptions that prescriptions are safer than illegal street drugs and educate students about the dangers associated with abusing prescription medications.”

The attorney general talked about what she described as “one of the most alarming trends” among teens these days: “pharm parties.” Teens would mix lethal doses of drugs – ranging from over-the-counter medications to such prescription narcotics as Vicodin – at these parties, and then wash them down with alcohol.

Kelly clarified, however, that it is not the program’s intention to scare students, or portray medications as harmful. She said: “When used under the direction and supervision of a doctor prescription drugs are safe. However, when mixed, abused, taken with alcohol and taken without authorization, the results can be deadly.”

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Nurse and Mother Shares Her Addiction Story

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on February 9th, 2012

Dedra Butler, a nurse and mother of two from Idaho, shares the story of her addiction to prescription drugs, a story that lends further credence to the fact that prescription drug abuse can happen to anyone – even those who we would expect ought to now better.

prescription drug abuseHer road to addiction began when she was a teenager, when she had her first alcoholic drink. She shared that the first drink led to “I want more, I want more, I want more,” and eventually evolved to “I can’t stop, I can’t stop, I can’t stop.”

That first alcoholic drink became a gateway to drugs. She began using marijuana, then painkillers and Valium.

Butler shared: “I’m a nurse. I knew what was wrong with me. I have bipolar depression. Nah, nah, nah. Look, a little pot here, some pills here, some alcohol here, and I suffered from addiction, which I was in denial.”

This is a story that, according to drug counselors, is shared by more teens in America. Shanna Neff, a drug counselor at Creekside Counseling in Idaho Falls, shared: “In fact, behind marijuana, prescription drug abuse or over-the-counter drug abuse is the second most used or abused substance in teenagers right now, in 12th graders… This is very common. We see it a lot.”

Over the years, Dedra’s problems only got worse; she even sometimes did drugs while her daughter was in the other room. She shared: “I knew what I was doing was wrong. I knew I was probably going to go to jail. I knew that I was going to lose my job, probably lose my kids, lose my nursing license. I was going to be exposed, but I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I did not know how to stop doing drugs.”

She was eventually able to kick the habit, although that only happened after spending a week in jail, and losing her nursing license. She has since regained her license, though, and by summer, will be marking three years of being clean.

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Teen News Network Tackles Prescription Drug Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on February 2nd, 2012

The Santa Barbara Teen News Network is a network for teens and run by teens. It features teen activities and interesting information on what teens can possibly do to help and at the same time have fun while in the Santa Barbara community.

Santa Barbara Teen News NetworkAssociate director and chief financial officer of the Patricia Henley Foundation Trisha Geyer adds that sbTNN is a teen scene magazine show. Now on its third season, sbTNN offers teens “community-based arts programs” which help develop effective communication and enhance performing arts for the youth.

In the last six months, sbTNN has been working with their media sponsor Noozhawk in creating a special six-week investigative report and public announcements pertaining to prescription drug abuse. Many of the videos and have already been posted in their website together with articles from Noozhawk reporters.

The Santa Barbara Teen News Network has since came out with 28 public service announcements for prescription drug abuse. By interviewing and talking to professionals like doctors and medical providers and other resource persons like recovering addicts, the staff of sbTNN have learned and absorbed useful information with regards to prescription medications misuse and abuse.

According to one sbTNN staff, the notion that drinking is the largest problem among teens could be overtaken by the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Teen staff of the network confirmed that people they interviewed were excited about the project. “Everyone was really caring and just wanted to help,” says one teen interviewer.

As a result of the interviews, the teens themselves learn a lot and were in turn empowered to share information and knowledge about prescription drug abuse to others of their age. “We’re living (with those who misuse prescription drugs) and can help guide them,” says one teen volunteer for the teen network.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer Wants Drugged-Driving Tests

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on January 31st, 2012

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer revealed that too many New Yorkers are driving under the influence of prescription drugs, with an increase of 35% in drugged driving arrests in New York state since 2001. In 2009, 10.5 million Americans admitted they had taken the wheel while on drugs.

drugged drivingWhile these numbers are still low compared to drunk driving arrests, the dangers of drugged driving are just as real. Without the proper tools, though, what the cops can do to catch drugged drivers is very limited.

“If people next year knew that they’d be tested for drugged driving just like they are tested for drunk driving, it might deter them from doing it to begin with and save lives,” Schumer said.

This is why he is pushing for legislation that would provide $140 million research and training funding to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in order to develop tests that cops can use to detect drugged drivers as well as to train cops to use any new technology.

Current tests being used by cops can detect alcohol intoxication. There is presently no device or test used by cops that can detect drugged drivers.

“Our cops need state-of-the-art equipment and better training to identify and apprehend those who are putting innocent victims at risk,” he added.

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Rise of Prescription Drugs and Marijuana Abuse in Charlevoix County

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Marijuana Use and Abuse, Prescription Drug Abuse on January 30th, 2012

The Bay Area Substance Education Services (BASES) Inc. in Charlevoix warned residents that local prescription drug abuse and marijuana use are on the rise, according to BASES executive director D. Scott Kelly.

Findings from Kelly’s program called “Drug Use Trends in Charlevoix County” have shown that more high school students are engaging in marijuana use than cigarettes smoking. Partly due to medical marijuana laws, kids’ perception on the dangers of marijuana has decreased. In 2008, Michigan approved its medical marijuana program and is now one of the 16 states which have adopted such policy.

marijuanaAnother contributing factor to the increase in prescription drug abuse and marijuana use is the availability of such substances online. Prescribed medications and synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 and Spice are readily available for purchase online.

“We had a kid come in, saying he could buy some ‘stuff’ online for $50, and then ‘flip’ it for $700,” Kelly recalled. “Synthetics create all kinds of legal, political and health issues.”

The program, which was initiated by the BASES executive director, aimed to help parents and concerned citizens understand the trends that kids get into as far as prescription drugs and marijuana abuse are concerned. They were also taught about the dangers of addiction that could lead to psychological problems and the treatments that can help those who become victims of abuse.

Kelly, who is one of the co-founders of BASES, also suffered from alcohol addiction during his college years. He has remained sober since 1984 after enlisting in an alcoholism treatment program. Today, he is one of the resource persons of their program and is currently working on his master’s degree in counseling. He also works as a relapse prevention specialist and as an advanced addiction counselor for their organization.

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Pharmacists Share How to Start the New Year Right

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on January 3rd, 2012

Another year has just started and the American Pharmacists Association is reminding us to start the New Year clean and right by simply fixing all the clutter in our medicine cabinets.

In a year, medications for coughs, colds, infections and other conditions can easily accumulate in homes. Aside from expiration and reduced potency when such items are kept for a period of time, unused medications can be easily misused and abused by both adults and kids at home.

In the US, the fastest growing drug problem is abuse of prescribed drugs. This reality also happens in other countries and more and more people are becoming victims of the abuse.

prescription drugsHere are some tips from our friendly neighborhood pharmacists when storing and cleaning medications in medicine cabinets.

1. To preserve the state of medications, they are best kept in cool and adequately lit storages. These storages in turn should be secured by parents and should also be strategically stationed in places where kids can’t get to them easily.

2. If you have medications kept for the last year, it’s time to dispose of them properly. Don’t give them away nor share them with other people.

3. Once in a while, check the expiration dates of these commodities and if there are items way past their expiry dates, dispose of them safely.

4. If there are loose items, those that are no longer in their original containers, discolored and unidentifiable tablets, capsules or bottles, be sure to take them away from your cabinet and follow the correct guidelines in disposing them.

5. Do not flush medications down the drain or in toilet bowls. Take advantage of drug take-back programs and talk to your pharmacists to know more about the proper disposal of unwanted and unused medicines.

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