Have you become yourteen’s drug dealer?

PANEL MEMBERSKevin Cashman, Maine Drug Enforcement AgencyKaren Simone, Northern New England Poison CenterRonni Katz, City of Portland’s Overdose Prevention Project

What’s in yourmedicine cabinet?

This town hall is part of a prescription drug abuse prevention project sponsored by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and King Pharmaceuticals along with the City of Portland Public Health Division (HHSD) & Portland Public

Schools.

We thank the Northern New England Poison Control and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency for participating in this town hall.

 

Abuse of Rx and OTC Medicines

Recent studies indicate that the abuse of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter cough medicines (OTCs) to get high is a concern—particularly among teens.

Did You Know?

Every day, almost 2,500 teens abuse an Rx medication for the first time.

Next to marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens are abusing are prescription medications.

Twenty percent of U.S. high school students say they have taken Rx drugs without consulting a doctor.

1 in 5 teens has abused Rx drugs. 1 in 3 teens say there is “nothing

wrong” with abusing Rx medications “every once in a while.”

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Maine Data: Teen Use

According to the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS), in 2009 11.3% of Maine high school students and 6.6% of 7th and 8th graders reported using an Rx drug without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during the past 30 days.

Maine Data: # of Prescriptions

Average of Rxs / person

2007

2008

2009

State of Maine 1.67 1.75 1.82

Cumberland County

1.61 1.71 1.74

York County n/a 1.56 n/a

Knox County n/a 2.0 n/a

Oxford County n/a 1.71 n/a

Local Data: Teen Use

In 2009 in the Cumberland Public Health District, 10.9% of high school students and 6.9% of 7th and 8th graders reported using an Rx drug without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during the past 30 days.

Local Data: # of PrescriptionsCommunity 2009 Total Prescriptions per

100 people (narcotics, tranquilizers, stimulants)

Portland 197.5 (Roughly 2 Rxs / person in

Portland)

Cumberland County 174.0

State of Maine 182.3Portland had the 2nd highest State increase overall in STIMULANT prescriptions (25.8)

Portland has the 2nd highest rate of TRANQUILIZER prescriptions in Cumberland County (86.5)Up 5% since 200830% higher than the State

Teens’ Rx Drugs of Choice For Abuse

How they work Abused by teens to:

Drug names

Narcotics (Strong

pain relievers)

Used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain, these medications block pain signals to the brain

Get high, increase feelings of well being by affecting the brain regions that mediate pleasure

Vicodin, OxyContin,Percocet, Lorcet, Lortab, Actiq, Darvon, codeine, morphine,methadone

Stimulants Primarily used to treat ADHD type symptoms, these speed up brain activity causing increased alertness, attention, and energy that comes with elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate and breathing

Feel alert, focused and full of energy—perhaps around final exams or to manage coursework, lose weight

Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, Concerta

Sedatives or

tranquilizers

Used to slow down or “depress” the functions of the brain and central nervous system pressure, increased heart rate and breathing

Feel calm, reduce stress, sleep

Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Ambien, Lunesta, Mebaral, Nembutal, SomaRX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Local Data: Medication Collection

In both 2009 and 2010, the City of Portland’s Public Health Division—in partnership with the Portland Police Department/Maine DEA—held medication collection events in Portland. Here are some data from the 2010 event:

2010 Medication Collection Data

Participants surveyed 378Percentage of participants living in Cumberland County

94

Mean age of participants dropping off 62

Mean controlled pills and patches/person 52

Estimated street value of controlled substances returned

$287,804.43 to $317,452.28

Where do most teens get Prescription Drugs?

According to the Monitoring the Future study, a survey of almost 50,000 teens throughout the United States, these are the ways that teens get their hands on prescription drugs, from the most popular method to the least:

• From home, by stealing from the medicine cabinet.

• From friends, by buying them or just asking for them.

• From strangers, by buying them.

• From illegal Internet pharmacies.

Where do most teens get Prescription Drugs?

Friends and the family medicine cabinet are the major sources of these drugs. More than seventy percent of people who abuse prescription painkillers say they get them from family or friends.

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Rx Access Points— Friends & Family Source of

Concern

SAMHSA. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series: H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). Rockville, MD.Available at: www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.pdf

Teens say that…

Agree strongly/somewhat %

Rx drugs, even if they are not prescribed by a doctor, are much safer to use than illegal drugs.

40

There is nothing wrong with using Rx drugs without a doctor’s prescription once in a while.

31

Rx pain relievers, even if they are not prescribed by a doctor, are not addictive.

29

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Parental/Guardian Beliefs & Attitudes

Many parents aren’t aware of the dangers of Rx abuse – it’s just not on their radar screen.

Rx medicines can be found in homes of family or friends, and parents don’t realize the connection between teen Rx abuse and easy availability.

Many parents do not know how to effectively talk with their teens about Rx drug abuse. They often find out about an Rx problem when it is too late.

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

What ‘s being done to address this epidemic in Maine?

Prescription Monitoring Program (OSA) Goals: Help stop prescription drug overdoses, Educate the public on the

dangers of prescription drug misuse, Ensure that those who do need prescription medications still receive them

Who has access to the PMP? Prescribers, Dispensers, Licensing Boards, Patients, OSA Staff, Law Enforcement (Attorney General’s office)

Overdose Prevention Project (Portland, Waterville, Bangor) Prevent drug overdoses by providing support, advocacy, education and

outreach to the community through positive collaborations and partnerships Maine Drug Enforcement Agency

Investigate domestic, interstate and international drug offenses Northern New England Poison Center

Provides immediate treatment advice for poison emergencies, as well as information about poisons and poison prevention, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What can YOU do to address this epidemic in Maine?

Educate. Communicate. Safeguard.

* Rx Abuse Warning Signs ** Talking to Teens *

* Keep Track of Your Meds *

Watch for Physical Warning Signs

Excessive sweating, urination or thirst

Nausea and vomiting Uncontrollable diarrhea Spastic shaking Drowsiness, dizziness and insomnia Loss of consciousness Physical dependence Addiction

EDUCATE

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Watch for Physical Warning Signs

Sudden mood changes, including irritability, negative attitude, personality change.

Extreme changes in groups of friends or hangout locations.

Lying or being deceitful, unaccounted time away from home/missed school days, avoiding eye contact.

Losing interest in personal appearance, extracurricular activities or sports.

Poor performance at school. Borrowing money or having extra cash. Visiting and even purchasing from pro-drug

abuse (illegal) web sites.

EDUCATE

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Talk to Teens about Rx Abuse

Teens learn by example. When they see mom, dad, a sibling or grandparent taking a pill – even responsibly – it doesn’t seem so bad.

Many teens report that their parents have the greatest influence on their drug use attitudes and decisions.

Kids who continue to learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who are not taught about these dangers.

COMMUNICATE

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Talk to Teens about Rx Abuse

“Denormalize” the Behavior: While 1 in 5 teens are abusing Rx drugs, 4 in 5 are not

Debunk Common Myths: Rx abuse is just as dangerous as abusing other substances; it can be addictive; and it’s not OK to misuse these drugs even “once in a while.”

Provide Clear Guidelines: If you’re a parent, let teens know you will be disappointed if they abuse Rx medications and watch how you use medicines in front of teens.

Give Teens Escape Routes: Teach them how to get out of bad situations; and suggest responses they can use so they don’t feel “uncool.”

COMMUNICATE

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Keep Track of Your Meds

Parents (and other family members) are in the best position to reduce access to Rx drugs by locking up medicines and properly disposing of expired or unused medicines.

Monitor all medications in the home – Rx and OTC medicines

Safely store medicines out of children’s reach and sight – consider locking them up

Get rid of old or unused medicines

SAFEGUARD

RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Guidelines for Proper Disposal

Federal Guidelines: Refer to October 15, 2009 FDA Guidelines for Disposal by Flushing

Do not flush down toilet or drain unless accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so

Dispose of Rx drugs (not labeled to be flushed) through a community drug take-back. If a program is not available, dispose of medications appropriately: Take medication out of its original packaging and place it into a

disposable container with a lid or into a sealable bag.

Mix drugs with an undesirable substance (e.g., cat litter or used coffeegrounds).

Place sealed container with the mixture and original packaging (be sure toremove all personal information from the packaging) in the trash.

SAFEGUARD

Office of National Drug Control Policy. Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs. 2009. Available at: www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf RX ABUSE PREVENTION TOOLKIT - from awareness to action

Local Treatment Resources Day One: Maine’s leading agency dealing with teen drug

and alcohol abuse www.day-one.org

Maine Office of Substance Abuse: Providing leadership in substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment. www.maineosa.org

Mercy Recovery Center: The largest substance abuse treatment center in Maine, offering inpatient and outpatient programs for adults. www.mercyrecovery.org

SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator: This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs shows the location of facilities around the country that treat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems. www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

National Resources

Above the Influence www.abovetheinfluence.com

American Medicine Chest Challenge(AMCC) www.americanmedicinechest.com

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) www.cadca.org

Five Moms: Stopping Cough Medicine Abuse www.fivemoms.com / www.stopmedicineabuse.org

National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) www.talkaboutrx.org

National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators www.naddi.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Rx Drugs www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/prescription.html

The Drug Take-Back Initiative www.takebacknetwork.com

The Partnership at DrugFree.org www.drugfree.org

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Contact Info

Northern New England Poison Center Karen Simone, Director - 662-7221 www.nnepc.org

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Kevin Cashman - 822-0373 www.maine.gov/dps/mdea

City of Portland Public Health Division’s Overdose Prevention Project Ronni Katz – 756-8116 http://substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov www.facebook.com/portlandprevention www.twitter.com/portprevent