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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:

~   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

www.healthyyouth.org

 

 

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For more information on-line, go to Links – Tips for Families, Parents and Youth Workers