The 411 On Prescription Drugs

The numbers are in. 22,000 pounds of unused out-dated prescription drugs were collected in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah alone, that doesn’t include the other participating states. The Denver Colorado office of the DEA reported that last week’s prescription drug take-back on April 30^th, 2011 was a major success. The prescription drug take-back gave people a chance to safely and anonymously dispose of outdated and unused medicines. According to the DEA, in Wyoming 769 pounds of prescription drugs were collected, in Montana 1,649 pounds, in the state of Utah 6,552 pounds.  But it was in the state of Colorado that the most drugs were collected. The people of Colorado turned in 14,114 pounds of unused and outdated prescription medicines. Other states that participated in the Prescription Drug National Take-Back reported impressive numbers of unused medicines collected as well.  For example, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE) reported 5,142 pounds of prescription drugs collected. Seattle police reportedly collected over 286 pounds of prescription drugs in four hours. The New England states all reported huge numbers of unused meds collected as well. The state of Massachusetts collected 12,354 pounds of medications; in Maine the DEA collected an impressive 11,920 pounds of drugs. The impressive thing about the Maine numbers is the fact that Maine is five times smaller than Massachusetts yet it collected nearly as much unused meds as the Massachusetts did. Connecticut reported gathering up 6,787 pounds of unused medicine, the state of New Hampshire collected 3,669 pounds, the tiny state of Rhode Island brought in 1,716 pounds and the state of Vermont collected about 1,404 pounds of medicine.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), 78% of all accidental overdoses in Georgia in 2009 were because of the use of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, meth or marijuana. The high percentage of accidental overdoses in 2009 was attributed to the use and abuse of prescription drugs. Did you know that more people have died from accidental overdoses of prescription drugs than have died in auto accidents? It’s true.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that almost 2 million young people between ages 12 and 17 abused prescription medications in 2008. And more and more kids are experimenting prescription drugs each day. This experimentation will inevitably lead to abuse and addiction.

Prescription Drug Take Back

This is why I, with the help of Narconon of Georgia, am embarking on a campaign to have a Prescription Drug Take-Back in Fulton County Atlanta Georgia. Prescription drug abuse in America has become an epidemic and whatever we can do to stop it we must do. The success of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back on April 30, 2011 should not be taking for granted. Americans turned in tons of unused meds this weekend but we can’t stop there. If this truly a “War on Prescription Drug Abuse” then this weekend was only one battle. This war is ongoing.

If you would like to volunteer and/or participate in the prosed Prescription Drug Take-Back Fulton County initiative contact Narconon of Georgia and ask how you can help. In the meantime, if you have old and unused medication that you would like to get rid of you can find information on the Narconon website or simply call Narconon of Georgia at ……. to find safe and proper methods for disposing of your unwanted medication.

Too many children are abusing prescription drugs and the household medicine cabinets are the suppliers. Oxycodone and other old prescription pain medications, are the main culprit and largely responsible for rising numbers in teen prescription medication abuse and prescription drug overdoses.  If you have meds sitting around in your med cabinet get rid of them.

I’d like to reduce the number of addicted teens in Georgia and America as well but we must start here in Georgia. I want to insure that kids don’t have easy access to these addictive and potentially dangerous medications.

If you don’t believe the danger of prescription drug abuse just takes a look at the statistics in the state of Ohio. According to an article in the Chillicothe Gazette, “in 2007, unintentional drug poisoning became the leading cause of injury death in Ohio, surpassing motor vehicle crashes and suicide.” Furthermore the report goes on to state that; Ohio’s death rate from 1999 to 2008, from unintentional drug poisonings rose by 350 percent. (http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20100922/NEWS01/9220307/Ohio-campaign-to-attack-prescription-drug-abuse)

It’s a scary thing to know that the meds in your bathroom can be potentially hazardous to your family’s health. A day of Prescription Drug Take-Back in Fulton County Atlanta Georgia would not only give the community an opportunity to turn in their unused medication, it would also give the police and public officials the opportunity to educate the public on the potential for prescription drug abuse, addiction and diversion. The public can learn of the many so-called “Pill Mills” and clinics that specialize in illegally prescribing and distributing medications.

Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Georgia and the Narconon staff of drug abuse and addiction professionals are pleased with the results of the recent Prescription Drug Take-Back. “While we see more people coming in for prescription drug abuse, it is gratifying to see communities around the country taking action to educate and prevent the abuse of prescription drugs.” However, Rieser and the Narconon staff know that this struggle continues. Narconon of Georgia, the DEA, state and local law enforcement and myself; we can all make you aware of the statistics and the dangers of prescription drug abuse. But it is up to you to do something about it. In the case of drug abuse of any kind ignorance is afraid from bliss. Ignorance in this case can be addictive and dangerous. If you or anyone you know is abusing prescription drugs do not hesitate to get them help. Narconon of Georgia has been treating people for abuse addiction to drugs for over 10 years. The Narconon staff is trained to deal with the issues associated with drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. Remember, don’t hesitate.

Michael Bonds, Bauder College About The Author Michael Bonds is a Criminal Justice Senior at Bauder College in Atlanta Georgia. He is currently doing his externship at Narconon of Georgia. He is an Activist and former Youth Counselor from Boston Massachusetts. He is the author of “Gunz, Poems & Rosez, the Experience Strength and Hope of Michael Warrior Bonds” and is an avid writer.  Read more from Michael at his web site. (Read more …)