(Cleveland) The White County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and the Appalachian Drug Task Force (ADTF) will partner together with the Enotah Anti Drug Coalition to participate in the nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. Officers from the two law enforcement agencies will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at Walmart, in Cleveland this Saturday from 10 A.M–2 P.M. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The DEA reports that it’s state and local partners have removed over 3.4 million pounds of medication from circulation across the nation through this program.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Most people are not aware that medicines found in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. The rates of prescription drug abuse, accidental poisonings, and overdoses are increasing throughout the United States at an alarming rate. The DEA warns that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet. In addition, they warn that most Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused or unwanted medication, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away; both potential safety and health hazards.
Young people often perceive prescription drugs to be safer than illicit drugs to get high, leading them to casually share these drugs with friends. These include painkillers (OxyContin), depressants (Xanax) and stimulants (Adderall and Ritalin). In 2009, 76% of drug related deaths were caused by prescription drugs compared to 13% caused by illicit drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
The DEA reports that everyday an average of 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an average of 5,965 persons per day in 2008 abused prescription pain relievers for the first time. The total number of individuals that initiated with a controlled substance pharmaceutical (pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers, and sedatives) for the first time exceeded the number of individuals that abuse marijuana for the first time. The majority of teens believe that prescription drugs are easier to obtain the illicit drugs.
“Prescription drug abuse is a rapidly growing drug problem, and this take-back event is an invaluable tool that we can use to reduce the threat of drug abuse that these prescription drugs pose,” said White County Sheriff Neal Walden. “The partnership with the community is key in our efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse and misuse.” Sherriff Walden said the number of deaths this past year was reduced because of these types of programs.
