Is cleaning our your medicine cabinet on your Spring cleaning to-do list? It should be!
Drug overdoses are a leading cause of accidental death in our country. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that nearly 20 million Americans misuse prescription medications such as opioid pain medications, sedatives, or stimulants each year. Most of these accidental deaths are due to opioid overdoses (including illicit heroin or synthetic fentanyl), but 80% of heroin users first misused a prescription opioid.
The Ohio State University teamed up with Cardinal Health Foundation to create the Generation Rx tool kits that teach safe medication practices and risks of medication misuse across the age spectrum. Many people who misuse prescription drugs will get the medications from a family member or friend. ASAC is currently offering Generation Rx presentations to youths and adults to help clarify why it is important to lock up medications and how safe medication practices can help prevent misuse.
An important component of the Generation Rx program is to help participants understand what to do with excess medications they may have around their homes. Safe ways to dispose of unneeded medications are by placing them in medication drop boxes, taking them to a community drug take-back program, or using a safe home disposal method. Each year the Drug Enforcement Agency sponsors two National Prescription Drug Take Back events in many of our communities. If you are unable to drop off your medications during a drug take-back event, there are local drug drop boxes that can be utilized year-round.
Reposted from the Clinton Herald News https://bit.ly/3AhanqS
Nearly 20 Million Americans Misuse Prescription Medication
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Posted: April 21, 2023 by drmoea
Is cleaning our your medicine cabinet on your Spring cleaning to-do list? It should be!
Drug overdoses are a leading cause of accidental death in our country. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that nearly 20 million Americans misuse prescription medications such as opioid pain medications, sedatives, or stimulants each year. Most of these accidental deaths are due to opioid overdoses (including illicit heroin or synthetic fentanyl), but 80% of heroin users first misused a prescription opioid.
The Ohio State University teamed up with Cardinal Health Foundation to create the Generation Rx tool kits that teach safe medication practices and risks of medication misuse across the age spectrum. Many people who misuse prescription drugs will get the medications from a family member or friend. ASAC is currently offering Generation Rx presentations to youths and adults to help clarify why it is important to lock up medications and how safe medication practices can help prevent misuse.
An important component of the Generation Rx program is to help participants understand what to do with excess medications they may have around their homes. Safe ways to dispose of unneeded medications are by placing them in medication drop boxes, taking them to a community drug take-back program, or using a safe home disposal method. Each year the Drug Enforcement Agency sponsors two National Prescription Drug Take Back events in many of our communities. If you are unable to drop off your medications during a drug take-back event, there are local drug drop boxes that can be utilized year-round.
Reposted from the Clinton Herald News https://bit.ly/3AhanqS
Category: Blog Tags: #dropthedrugs, addiction resources, dea take back, drug abuse, drug disposal, drug free kids, drugfree, NATIONAL TAKE BACK DAY, opioid crisis, prescription drug abuse, storing medications, substance misuse