October is Prescription Abuse Awareness Month
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic.
Because prescription drugs are legal, they are readily accessible and often viewed as “safe” by children and teens. The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that over 70% of people who abused prescription pain relievers got them from friends or relatives, while approximately 5% got them from a drug dealer or over the Internet.
You can play an important role in reducing prescription drug abuse among our youth:
- Talk to your kids: It's important that our children learn that there is a difference between prescribed use and abuse of prescription drugs. For tips on how to recognize warning signs and ways to start conversations with kids, visit http://www.drugfree.org/ or http://medicineabuseproject.org/resources/parents-grandparents.
- Dispose of unwanted or expired medications: By disposing of medications properly you reduce the risk of non-prescribed use and keep our environment safe. We are fortunate to have nine medication drop boxes throughout Tompkins County; some are open 24-7. Click on this link for locations and schedules.
~ Our drop boxes will accept: household expired or unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs including: controlled substances, capped EPI-pens, pet medications, inhalers, and mediated liquids in leak-proof containers.
~ Mercury thermometers must be taken to a household hazardous waste collection event.
~ Sharps (needles, lancets, etc.) can be disposed of at these locations.
Additional information can be found at www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/63826.html#Central
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Monthly Messages are brought to you by:
The Community Coalition for Healthy Youth
Each monthly message is provided by coalition board members. If you have further questions or comments about this message or would like information on how to become involved with the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth, please email ahendrix@tompkins-co.org
Thank you in advance for forwarding this monthly message to your networks.
Community Coalition for Healthy Youth
320 W. State/MLK Jr. Street
Ithaca NY 14850
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For more information on-line, go to Links – Tips for Families, Parents and Youth Workers