Teen Drug Help
Painkiller Abusers Often Rely on 'Leftovers' from Friends, Report Says
According to a 2008 study, which is appearing this week in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, almost all abusers of opioid painkillers obtain the drugs from a friend or family member who had a prescription.
The study, conducted in Utah, involved 5,300 adults. Of the 2 percent of adults who reported using an opioid painkiller not prescribed to them, 97 percent reported obtaining the drug from a friend or family member. And most of the time the friend or family member gave them the drug willingly.
Report co-author Erin Johnson, project coordinator for the Utah Department of Health's Pain Medication Management and Education Program, commented: "We found that one in five patients are prescribed opioids and the majority of those have leftover medication. With all these excess pills, there is a great likelihood of misuse and abuse that could result from that. So dispose of your leftover pain medication immediately."
According to the report by Johnson and her team, 85.2 percent of people who used an opioid without a prescription said the drug was given to them by someone who did have a prescription, and 9.8 percent said they took the medication without the knowledge or permission of the owner. Only 4.1 percent said they had bought the drug.
(Source: businessweek.com)
Labels: painkillers, prescription drugs
New Jersey Police Urge Parents to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
Over 400 police departments and other law enforcement agencies across New Jersey (in collaboration with the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, the DEA and the state Attorney General's Office) are launching a new program to help parents prevent teen abuse of prescription drugs. The program, Operation Medicine Cabinet, provides locations where citizens can drop off unused prescription medications for safe disposal by law enforcement.
Angelo Valente, executive director of the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey, commented: "With Operation Medicine Cabinet, we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes -- as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people."
According to a recent survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, prescription pain relievers have become more accessible to most young people than beer. The survey also found that for a majority of teens, the most common way to find those pills is to take them from their parents' medicine cabinets.
(Source: www.nj.com)
Labels: painkillers, prescription-drug-abuse, teen drug abuse
Teen Abuse of Painkillers Still a Concern, Despite Overall Decline in Teen Drug Use
Despite an overall decline in teen drug use of about 2 percent over the past six years, teen use of painkillers for nonmedical purposes is still a trouble trend.
The findings of a recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show an overall softening in attitudes toward drug use, including a decrease in the number of teens who view weekly marijuana use as a "great risk."
"The survey findings are important because they often point to emerging patterns of substance abuse," said Director of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske. "Although we see some success in the reduction of overall illicit drug use, methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse among teens, there are indications that progress in other areas may be at a standstill, or even slipping back."
(Source: www.firstcoastnews.com)
Labels: painkillers, teen drug use
