PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Preventing Misuse and Abuse Robert A. Brex, M.A.T., CPPR Executive Director North

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PRESCRIPTION DRUGSPreventing Misuse and
AbuseRobert A. Brex, M.A.T., CPP-RExecutive
DirectorNortheast Communities Against Substance
Abuse
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Prescription drug abuse is the use of
prescription drugs most commonly pain
killers, sedatives and stimulants in ways not
intended by the prescribing doctor.Examples
include Taking or buying someone elses
prescription painkiller for your backache.Taking
or buying prescription medication for non-medical
purposes.

• Prescription drug misuse includes not following
  warning labels printed on prescription medication
  vials.

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Prescription Drug Abuse is a Significant Emerging
Problem in the United States

• In 2006, 16.2 million Americans age 12 and older
  had taken a prescription pain reliever,
  tranquilizer, stimulant or sedative for
  non-medical purposes
• Treatment admissions for prescription pain killer
  misuse has risen dramatically over the past
  decade now representing 5 percent.
• It is generally believed that the broad
  availability of prescription drugs on the
  internet, from physicians and in the medicine
  cabinet and misperceptions about their safety
  make prescription medications particularly prone
  to abuse.
• Among those who abuse prescription drugs, high
  rates of other risky behaviors, including abuse
  of other drugs and alcohol, have also been
  reported.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
  Administration (SAMHSA 2008)

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MOST COMMONLY ABUSED CLASSES OF PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS

• OPIOIDS Most often prescribed to treat pain
• OxyContin (OxyCodone)
• Percodan
• Percocet
• Vicodin
• Opioids are a concern because they pose a risk
  for addiction and overdose.
• Illegal Opioids Heroin and Opium

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MOST COMMONLY ABUSED CLASSES OF PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS

• Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
• Used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders
• Valium
• Xanax
• Ambien
• Over the Counter (OTC) Sleep meds with
  antihistamines.
• These drugs can be addictive and, in chronic
  users, discontinuing them without a physicians
  guidance can cause severe withdrawal symptoms
  that must be properly managed by a medical
  professional.
• Risk of overdose which can cause severe breathing
  problems and lead to death, especially when
  combined with other medications or alcohol.

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MOST COMMONLY ABUSED CLASSES OF PRESCRIPTIONS
DRUGS

• STIMULANTS Prescribed to treat certain sleep
  disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity
  disorder (ADHD).
• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Ephedrine
• Amphetamines
• Stimulants are incorrectly perceived as safe for
  enhancing academic achievement and weight loss,
  these drugs are addictive and potentially
  harmful.
• When misused they can cause a range of risky
  health consequences including dangerously high
  body temperature, seizures and cardiovascular
  complications.
• ILLEGAL STIMULANT METHAMPHETAMINE

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AWARENESS

• Mixing Medications with Alcohol
• Drinking alcohol while taking prescribed
  medications may result in serious medical
  complications which could be life threatening
• Alcohol may enhance the effects of medication
• Alcohol may mute the effects of medication

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PREVENTION STEPS

• IF YOU USE A MEDICINE PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR
• Follow the directions on the medicine bottle
• Know how much to take and how often to take it
• A medicine is prescribed for you and only you
• Do not share drugs or give them to others

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PREVENTION STEPS

• IF YOU HAVE UNUSED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
• Keep the medication in its original container
• Mix with hot water and make them less appealing
  by adding used coffee grounds or kitty litter
• Place inside a container such as an empty yogurt
  or margarine tub and tape it shut
• Throw out the container in the trash

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PREVENTION STEPS

• IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR TEENAGERS LIVING WITH YOU
  OR VISITING
• Keep your medications in a safe area where only
  you have access to them
• Do a pill count Know exactly how much
  medication you have, so you can tell if any is
  missing
• Talk about prescription drugs. Stress that they
  are only safe for the person who receives the
  prescription from the doctor
• For good advice on how to talk to your child/teen
  to www.drugfree.org
• Do not let a child/teen take a prescription drug
  that was not prescribed for them

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PREVENTION STEPS

• OTHER SOUND ADVICE
• When taking prescription medicine be careful
  using additional medicines (including
  overthe-counter) and avoid drinking alcohol
• Consult you doctor or pharmacist if you have
  questions