PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE
LOCK IT UP PROJECT
LOCK IT UP PROJECT
Program of the California Health Collaborative
Community-based substance abuse prevention project funded by the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse Services
LOCK IT UP PROJECT
Designed to increase awareness of the risks and consequences associated with the illicit use of prescription painkillers by teens and young adults ages 12-20 in Fresno County
AARON RUBIN’S STORY
AARON RUBIN
AARON RUBIN
AARON RUBIN TODAY…
THE ISSUE WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
WHAT IS A PRESCRIPTION DRUG?
A drug that is only available with written instructions from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist.
Over-the-counter drugs do NOT require a prescription to obtain.
WHY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?
Easy accessibility
“Free”
“Safer” than illicit street drugs vs
vs
HOW ARE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ABUSED?
PHARM PARTIES “Pharm” = short for pharmaceuticals Gathering of people who bring prescription drugs and puts them all together in a large bowl
+ “Trail Mix”
Alcohol
Take them in handfuls without knowing what they are and the side effects that may occur
DRUGGED DRIVING
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
THE NATION’S FASTEST GROWING DRUG PROBLEM
“The United States makes up only 4.6 percent of the world's population, but consumes 80 percent of its opioids -- and 99 percent of the world's hydrocodone.” Source: ABC News, 2011
TREATMENT: ADMISSIONS FOR ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEVERS HAVE RISEN 430% FROM 1999-2009. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA), 2011
Nearly 15,000 people die every year of overdoses involving prescription painkillers.
In 2010, 1 in 20 people in the US (age 12 or older) reported using prescription painkillers for nonmedical reasons in the past year.
Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-theclock for a month. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011
COLLEGE STUDENTS
About one in four people aged 18 to 20 report using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons at least once in their lives. Among people 18 to 22 years of age, full-time college students are twice as likely to use a stimulant for non-medical reasons compared to those who are not in college or are only part-time students. By students’ sophomore year in college, about half of them will have been offered prescription drugs to abuse. Stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall) abused to pull all-nighters, cram for tests, finish essays, improve performance in sports
Source: www.talkaboutrx.org
NATIONAL COLLEGE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Source: Biennial Alcohol Policy Report: 2009-2011
PRESCRIPTION DRUG DIVERSION
Doctor Shopping Is one of the most popular methods of obtaining prescription drugs for illegal use.
Drug Theft Includes open house, pharmacies, and nursing homes.
Prescription Forgery Examples: Patients making or stealing prescription pads to write fake prescriptions, patients increasing the quantity, and physicians/pharmacists writing orders w/out patient’s consent.
ILLEGAL INTERNET PHARMACIES
Online pharmacies providing people controlled substances without a prescription.
ILLICIT PRESCRIPTIONS BY PHYSICIANS
Also known as “Pill Mills,” involves setting up clinics for stress and pain, where people can receive a prescription under the excuse of a legitimate medical need.
COUNTERFEIT DRUGS
COMMONLY ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
OPIOIDS Also referred to as: painkillers, OC, happy pills, oxy, percs, vikes, hillbilly heroin Prescribed for: patients after surgery or those with severe or chronic pain Examples: Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet How they work: opioids attach to their receptors in the brain, spinal cord, & digestive tract to block the perception of pain Polypharmacy warnings: opioids should not be used with other substances that depress the Central Nervous System (CNS), such as alcohol
OPIOIDS (CONTINUED) Side effects: drowsiness, nausea, constipation, depressed breathing Dangers: a single large dose or using with other substances that slow the rate of breathing can lead to death Addiction: long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction How is it abused?: crushed and snorted or injected to get high Withdrawal symptoms: restlessness, muscle and bone pain
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
Also referred to as: sedatives, tranquilizers, barbs, reds, yellows, downers, tranks, zombie pills Prescribed for: calming individuals with anxiety or helping them sleep Examples: barbiturates (Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax) How they work: slow functioning and decrease activity within the CNS Polypharmacy warnings: should not be used with other substances that causes CNS depression
CNS DEPRESSANTS (CONTINUED) Side effects: sleepiness, uncoordination, dizziness, confusion, forgetfulness Dangers: combining with other substances that depress the CNS can slow heart rate and breathing to levels low enough to cause death Addiction: long-term use can lead to physical dependence and addiction How is it abused?: crushed and snorted Withdrawal symptoms: seizures (brain experience severe “rebound” in terms of activity level)
STIMULANTS Also referred to as: uppers, speed, bennies, roses, skippy, black beauties, vitamin r Prescribed for: medical conditions including ADHD, narcolepsy, depression Examples: dextroamphytamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) How they work: increase alertness and attention by increasing brain activity, breathing and heart rates, and elevating blood pressure Polypharmacy warnings: should not be taken with OTC decongestants, diet drugs, asthma medication, other prescription stimulants
STIMULANTS (CONTINUED) Side effects: hostile/paranoid behavior, high body temperature, heart problems, seizures, lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, grumpy Dangers: combining with other substances that may enhance stimulant effects may lead to dangerously high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms Addiction: does not lead to physical dependence, but it still addicting How is it abused?: crushed and snorted or injected Withdrawal symptoms: depression, tiredness, problems sleeping
OVER-THE-COUNTER Most used for: headaches, sinus pressure, cold/flu symptoms Examples: Tylenol, Advil, Robitussin How they work: most contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM) to treat certain health conditions Side effects: nausea, impaired coordination, headache, numbness, cold flashes, panic attacks Dangers: high-blood pressure, coma, internal bleeding, heart problems, difficulty breathing, death How is it abused?: DXM produces a “high” feeling when crushed and snorted
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
WARNING SIGNS
Extreme loss of appetite & weight
Constricted/pinpoint pupils
Watery/sunken eyes
Poor complexion or unhealthy appearance
Constipation
Drowsiness/falling asleep at odd time
Frequently sick
WARNING SIGNS
Tremors, twitching, excessive scratching
Selfishness, attitude, & very emotional
Things missing from the house
Runny nose, sweating, vomiting
Not attending family events
Unfamiliar pills Go to www.drugs.com (Pill Identifier)
TIN FOIL IN UNEXPLAINED PLACES
FABRIC SOFTENERS
SPOONS, SYRINGES, MATCHES/LIGHTERS, ROPE/STRING
SMOKING DEVICES
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
SIPPIN’ SYRUP, LEAN DRANK, & ENERGY DRINKS
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
HELP EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY!
Lock up all drugs at home. Keep count and control access. Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider’s advice and dosage recommendations. Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines.
Properly conceal and dispose old or unused medicines.
Ask friends and family to lock their medications as well.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 1. DO NOT FLUSH OR POUR unused medications down the toilet or drain.
2. Put medications into a sealable bag or a disposable container with a lid.
3. Add water to dissolve the medication, then mix with something like dirt, cat litter, or coffee grounds. 4. Conceal or remove any personal information on drug containers before placing in trash.
SAFE DROP-OFF SITES Clovis Police Department 1233 5th Street Clovis, CA 93612 (559) 324-2400 Fresno Co. Sheriff’s Office 2200 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 488-3939 Fresno County Jail 1225 M Street Fresno, CA 93721 (559) 488-2590 Fresno State University Police Department 2311 E. Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93740 (559) 278-8400
Mendota Police Department 1000 Airport Blvd. Ste. A Mendota, CA 93640 (559) 655-9120 Parlier Police Department 8770 S. Mendocino Ave. Parlier, CA 93648 (559) 646-6600 Orange Cove Police Department 550 Center Street Orange Cove, CA 93646 (559) 626-5106 For more information: visit healthcollaborative.org for the latest list of sites
RESOURCES California Health Collaborative www.healthcollaborative.org Parent. The Anti-Drug www.theantidrug.com Partnership for Drug Free America www.drugfree.org Get Smart About Drugs: A DEA Resource for Parents www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com National Institute on Drug Abuse www.nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html FDA Safe Use Initiative www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm187806.htm Teen Drug Abuse www.teendrugabuse.us
REFERENCES Avila, J., & Murray, M. (2011, April 20). Prescription painkiller use at record high for americans. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://abcnews.go.com/US/prescriptionpainkillers-record number-americans-pain-medication/story?id=13421828#.TtepyLJOXx5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, November 1). Policy impact: Prescription painkiller overdoses. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/rxbrief/. National Council on Patient Information and Education. Taking action to prevent & address prescription drug abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.talkaboutrx.org/documents/GetTheFacts.pdf. Oliaro, P. (2011). Biennial alcohol policy report: 2009-2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011, from http://www.csufresno.edu/studentaffairs/programs/ alcohol/asc/documents/BiennialAlcoholPolicyReport20092011ASCWebsi te.pdf. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS): 1992-2001, National Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, DASIS Series S-20, DHHS Publication No. SMA 03-3778 (Rockville, MD: NCADI, 2003).
FLIDNT ANDERSEN
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