This document contains information to assist community anti-drug abuse organizations in helping to educate others about resources available to address various aspects of prescription drug abuse.
Tips for Parents
The Partnership for a Drug Free America is a non profit organization that unites parents, scientists and communications professionals to help families raise healthy children. The Partnership offers interactive tools that translate the latest science and research on teen behavior, addiction and treatment into easy to understand resources.
- The Partnership’s Parent Resource Center provides information and tools to help parents better understand teen drug abuse and how to talk to their children.
- The Partnership developed Time To Talk as an online resource for parents to learn about how to address drug abuse with their children.
- The Partnership’s Time to Act program offers guides and tips on what parents can do if they suspect or know that their child is abusing drugs.
For more information, visit the Partnerships web site at www.drugfree.org
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign offers a web site called Parents: The Anti-Drug (www.theantidrug.com). The web site offers information and resources for parents on prescription drug abuse. The site provides information about the types of prescription medications that teens are abusing and offers tips, guides, and expert advice to keep teens safe and drug-free.
Safe Storage and Disposal
The safe storage and proper disposal of medications is an important part of curbing the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs and can help protect the environment by keeping pharmaceutical ingredients out of the water supply. Many organizations discourage disposal of unneeded or expired medications by flushing down the toilet, unless the medication’s FDA approved label specifically directs them to do so. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that flushing is the most appropriate route of disposal for certain powerful opioid pain relievers and other controlled substances in order to reduce the danger of unintentional use or overdose and illegal abuse. The FDA has issued guidance for consumers entitled “How to Dispose of Unused Medicine” http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm[1] and maintains a list of medications that should be flushed on its web site http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htm.[2]
Helping Communities Combat Substance Abuse
Many communities have existing anti-drug coalitions and groups that are dedicated to preventing and reducing substance abuse. The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA, www.CADCA.org) is a national non-profit organization respresenting more than 5,000 anti-drug community groups across the country. CADCA seeks to strengthen the capacity of local anti-drug groups so that they can more effectively and sustainably reduce substance abuse in their communities. CADCA developed Strategizer 52: Teen Prescription Drug Abuse as a resource to help anti-drug groups develop strategies and plans to address prescription drug abuse in their communities.
Getting Substance Abuse Treatment Services:
Many people don’t know where to turn when seeking substance abuse treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, provides programs, resources and financial support for the prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. SAMSHA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment offers a toll free number (800-662-HELP or 800-662-4357) and an online resource, the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (www.samhsa.gov/treatment) to help families and individuals struggling with substance abuse find treatment programs in their communities.
Another source of information on treatment services may be your state or county department of health.
[1] “How to Dispose of Unused Medicines”, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, October 14, 2009. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm
[2] “Disposal by Flushing of Certain Unused Medicines: What You Should Know”, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, October 20, 2009. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htm.