Definition

Prescription drug abuse has become an increasingly serious problem throughout the United States. Although the definition many vary somewhat, prescription drug abuse can be defined as the use of prescription drugs -- most commonly painkillers, sedatives and stimulants -- in ways not intended by the prescribing doctor.

Facts and Issues

• Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.
• According to a 2007 survey conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prescription drug abuse occurs in more than 15 percent of high school sensors.
• Teens abuse prescription drugs because they believe the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.
• Girls are more likely than boys to intentionally abuse prescription drugs.
• Pain relievers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin are the most commonly abused prescription drugs by teens.
• Teens are more likely than young adults to abuse prescription medication.
• More than half of the people who use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes, received the drugs from a friend or family member.

Pharm Parties

There have been numerous reports of teenagers participating in what is referred to as "pharm parties". At these parties, they bring prescription drugs - often obtained from parents or grandparents - mix them together in a big bowl, and grab a handful of pill to ingest, smoke, inject or snort. This can obviously be a particularly dangerous practice.

What Can Be Done?

Law enforcement agencies are tackling the problem of prescription drug abuse in a number of ways. The following represents a few examples of these efforts:

• Portland Police Bureau

The Portland, Oregon Police Bureau sponsored a one-day "Prescription Turn In Event". At a designated location, Portland police officers and crime prevention staff accept the anonymous turn in of unused prescription medications, provide information about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and answer community and media questions regarding this issue.

• Louisville Police Department

The Louisville Police Department teams with the Louisville Metro Solid Waste Department to sponsor a "Drug Toss" at six sites throughout the Louisville metropolitan area. Residents are encouraged to bring in expired prescription drugs, unsealed cough syrups, eye drops, nose sprays, ointments, and bulk or loose pills and capsules.

• Coeur d'Alene Police Department

The Coeur d'Alene, Idaho  Police Department sponsored a "Turn in Prescription Medication Day" at the local high school.

• Oakland County (Michigan) Sheriff's Department

The Oakland County, Michigan Sheriff's Department sponsors 'Prescription Drug Collection Days' on Wednesdays at three locations within their jurisdiction. The Sheriff's Office has also developed an excellent downloadable brochure on their Internet website entitled "Operation Medicine Cabinet". Among the topics covered in this brochure are:

ü            What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

ü            Proper Disposal of Prescriptions and Over-the-Counter Medications

ü            Why Should We Dispose of Unused, Unsealed or Expired Medications?

This brochure can be found as follows:

ü            www.oakgov.com/sheriff/

ü            Click onto "Community Services"

ü            Click onto "Operation Medicine Cabinet"

• Melbourne Florida Police Department

The Melbourne, Florida Police Department had developed an excellent drug identification and description tutorial on their department's Internet website:

ü            www.melbourneflorida.org/police/drugs.htm

• Parent Education Programs

A number of law enforcement agencies have teamed with local school boards or districts and/or local PTA/PTO organizations to present prescription drug abuse education and awareness programs for parents.

• Life Skills Training

D.A.R.E. or other local school life skills education programs can be employed to teach elementary and secondary education students the dangers of using medication without a prescription.

 

Your Suggestions and Recommendations

If you have any suggestions, recommendations or program ideas for addressing the problem of prescription drug abuse, please contact us and let us know.

Dan Keller

American Crime Prevention Institute

dkeller@acpionline.com