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Health & Fitness

Help End Rx Drug Abuse: National Drug Take Back Day

Did you know that prescription medicines are not the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13-year-old kids? Participate in "Drug Take Back Day" this Saturday, April 26.

2014’s National Drug Take Back Day on 4/26!!!

Did you know that prescription medicines are not the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13-year-old kids?

YES it is true!!!

More teens are abusing prescription drugs now more than ever. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) 2013 survey results show that:

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  • 1 in 4 teens has misused or abused a prescription drug once in their lifetime, which is a 33% increase since 2008.
  •  1 in 8 teens now reports that they have taken a stimulant, such as Adderall or Ritalin, which was not prescribed to them, at least once.

Unfortunetly it doesn't stop with just abusing stimulants. Teen misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers, such as Vicodin and OxyContin, is increasing as well since 2011.

  • 1 in 6 teens report abusing or misusing a prescription pain reliever at least once.
  • 1 in 10 teens admit to abusing a prescription  pain reliever in the past year.  

Currently, prescription drugs are responsible for more overdose deaths (45%) than illegal street drugs combined (39%).

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How Can You Help Our Youth?

Here are 5 ways you can make a difference:

  1. Safe guard your medications—Keep your prescription medicine in a safe, secure place. Count and monitor the number of pills you have and if possible, lock up your medicine cabinet.
  2. Educate yourself—Find helpful resources and accurate information. Check out this Drug Guide from The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
  3. Talk to your teen—Start the conversation early and talk about it often with your teen! Find teachable moments that help bring up the conversation. For more helpful information, click here.
  4. Educate your friends and family—Give your friends and family the necessary information to raise awareness to others. Dispose of expired and unused medications properly—DON’T throw unused medications down the drain.
  5.  Dispose of all your Rx drugs properly by taking them to a safe disposal drop box. A drop box is located and open 24 hours at the Stratford Police Department, 900 Longbrook Ave.

What Can I Do Now?

  • Include your medicine cabinet into your spring cleaning routine.
  • April 26, 2014 is National Drug Take Back Day!
  • Participate by bringing all your expired and unused medications to Stratford Police Department and drop them off in our Unused Medication Drop Box. (Stratford’s MedReturn Box is open 24 hours everyday, for more information, click here)

Here is a list of what you can drop in:

ACCEPTED: Prescription, over-the-counter, pet medication; vitamins/nutritional supplements; prescription patches and ointments, medication samples.

NOT ACCEPTED: hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, thermometers, needles (sharps), aerosol cans, hazardous waste, business/professional waste.

For more information, please call Stratford Police Department at 203-385-4100.

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