Prescription Drug Abuse A Growing Problem

— Prescription drugs are the second most abused drug in Arkansas, a state official said.

State Rep. Tim Summers, R-Bentonville, said only alcohol is abused by more Arkansas. Methamphetamine is third.

Prescription drug abuse is becoming so prevalent the state has launched a campaign to encourage people to dispose of their medications as soon as they’re finished with them. Doing so will keep drugs out of the hands of children, said Fran Flener, state drug director.

Flener spoke to the Bentonville Kiwanis Club on Tuesday about the dangers of keeping old prescriptions.

“We have got a serious problem, but we have also got a real chance to fix it,” Flener said after the meeting.

Flener said seven out of 10 drug overdoses nationwide are from legal prescriptions.

More and more teenagers and children are taking prescription drugs from their parents, friends and grandparents without permission because the drugs are accessible and because there is a belief that prescription drugs are safe since they are legal, Flener said.

“They’re very dangerous if they’re not used by the person they’re prescribed for,” Flener said. “We need to treat our prescriptions as if they were fine jewelry or a loaded weapon.”

From 2005 to 2008, 15 children died in Arkansas as a result of prescription drug overdoses, Flener said. That number does not include the number of children who died in accidents because they were under the influence of prescription drugs.

Summers said 60 percent to 70 percent of those seeking drug treatment at Decision Point in Bentonville and Springdale are addicted to prescription drugs. There were 90 clients housed at the drug rehabilitation clinic Tuesday.

The education campaign launched by Flener’s office encourages people to monitor, secure and dispose of unwanted and unused medications.

One way Flener hopes to get prescription drug abuse under control is by establishing permanent dropoff locations for the drugs in every county in the state.

The Bella Vista Police Department is one of the four places in the state that have drug incinerators.

Other locations are the Benton, Baxter and Pope county sheriff’s offices, Flener said.

Bella Vista Police Chief Ken Farmer said the department has burned 3,500 pounds of unwanted medicine since the program started in March 2008.

“I’m glad we have a place for people to dispose of those pills,” Farmer said. “This is something real positive that we have been able to do for the community and its keeping all those drugs out of the ground water.”

Benton County Fire Marshal Will Hanna said he takes in 40 to 50 pounds of unwanted medication each month as a part of the county’s Pyromed program.

The Pyromed program allows residents to drop off medications on the second Saturday of each month next to the courthouse at 102 N.E. A St. in Bentonville. Hours are from 8 a.m. to noon.

Hanna said the county is borrowing Bella Vista’s drug incinerator. He is working with justices of the peace to purchase an incinerator for the county’s use. Incinerators cost about $4,200, Hanna said.

Counties and cities across the state will participate in the National Takeback Day on Sept. 25, Flener said.

National Takeback Day will help raise awareness of prescription drug abuse as well as giving people a convenient way to dispose of unwanted drugs, Flener said.

For more information about prescription drug abuse in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasAG.gov or www.ioit2me.com.

AT A GLANCE

Ways To Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access.

Set rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider’s advice and dosages.

Be a good role model by following the same rules with your own medicines.

Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs.

Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

AT A GLANCE

Disposing Of Unwanted Medications

All unwanted medications can be dropped off 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Bella Vista Police Department. There is a drop box in front of the department that is monitored by cameras and police officers.

Drugs left with the police department are incinerated.

The Bella Vista Police Department is at 105 Town Center.

Benton County hosts a drug-burning program called PyroMed. It allows residents to drop off all unwanted medications on the second Saturday of each month. The drugs can be dropped next to the courthouse at 102 N.E. A St. in Bentonville from 8 a.m. to noon.

Source: Staff Report

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