Rx Abuse Billboard

Medicine Misuse Prevention

Recent studies among middle and high school aged kids across the country show a disturbing form of substance use among teens: the intentional misuse of otherwise beneficial medications, both prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC), to get high. According to surveys from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 20 percent of these teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves, and 5 percent report abusing OTC cough medicine to get high.

While prescription medicines benefit many different people – for many different conditions – when used appropriately, they are being increasingly misused and abused. In fact, behind alcohol and marijuana, the most common drugs teens abuse are prescription medications. The most commonly prescription misuse medications are opioids and pain relievers (Vicodin®, OxyContin®), barbiturates and benzodiazepines (Valium®, Xanax®) and stimulants (Dexedrine® or Adderall®, Ritalin® or Concerta®).

 

Help Prevent Prescription Misuse

Teens who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are 50 percent less likely to use drugs. So we ask you to take action, talk to your children and teens today about the risks of prescription misuse and overdose. We also ask that you safely dispose of your medicine through our Medicine Take Back Program.

In addition, it is very important that you safegaurd your medicine cabinets throughout your home. Know what medications you have and how much, so you will know if anything is missing. Properly discard of any medicines you no longer need.

When medicine is no longer needed, it is important to dispose of expired, unwanted, or unused medicines from your home as quickly as possible to help reduce the chance that others may accidentally take or intentionally misuse the unneeded medicine.

Barry County Medicine Drop Off Sites

 

TalkSooner-Our Partnership on Getting the Conversation Started

Do you need conversation starters? Ice breakers or just knowing how to have a conversation with your child about the dangers of prescription abuse? We have partnered with TalkSooner, a website that will help in providing everything you need to have a productive conversation. In addition, you can visit their website for specific information on prescription abuse.


 

Visit TalkSooner