Doug Coleman
Into the mind of ...
What was the genesis of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s prescription-drug take-back days?
American teens tell us they are abusing prescription drugs acquired from their parents’ medicine cabinets. Parents tell us they don’t know how to dispose of unwanted and unused pharmaceuticals. When you put the two together, the need for a mechanism to dispose of these drugs became obvious.
DEA responded by coordinating semiannual drug take-back events with local law-enforcement agencies. Removing unneeded household medication is a key component to limiting the availability of and access to these drugs by children and/or drug seekers.
Why do people turn to prescription drugs?
There are two primary reasons for increased prescription-drug abuse: easy access and the mistaken belief among teens and young adults that prescription medications are safer than other drugs. Unlike methamphetamine or heroin, they are prescribed by health-care professionals, and dispensed by pharmacists. This false sense of security can end in tragedy.
Little stigma is associated with the abuse of prescription drugs. There are no track marks with a pill, no littered paraphernalia to hide or dark alley encounters. However, when abused, prescription drugs are just as dangerous and addictive as street drugs. What are the potential dangers? Death and addiction. Abusers of controlled pharmaceuticals use these drugs for non-medical purposes, in a manner for which they were never intended. This practice, coupled with the erroneous perception of safety, makes the abuse of pharmaceuticals extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.
There is a direct link between the abuse of opiate-based drugs such as oxycodone and heroin addiction. Because both drugs are opiate based, addicts can use the two interchangeably. The abuse of opiate-based pharmaceuticals drives increased heroin use.
What signs should friends and families watch for?
Prescription drug abuse can result in a drop in academic performance, personality changes and feelings of helplessness, isolation or shame by the abuser. Physical signs of abuse include drowsiness, inability to concentrate, slurred speech, lack of energy, constriction of the pupils, flushing of the face and neck, and respiratory depression.
When is the next take-back day, and what drugs can people bring?
From10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at more than 90 collection sites across the state. The public can find sites by visiting dea.gov and clicking on the “Got Drugs” icon. People can bring over-thecounter medications, prescription medications and pharmaceutical controlled substances. No injectables, inhalers or needles will be accepted.
Howcan people dispose of liquids, injectables or needles?
We will take liquids in plastic containers; for any other items, please contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at 602-771-2215. Other trends you’re watching? Synthetic drugs like K-2, Spice and Molly have been increasingly popular among teens and young adults. These drugs have been deceptively marketed to young people, and the abuse of these substances has resulted in numerous deaths. As always, we have to concentrate our efforts as a nation towards stopping young people from entering the vicious cycle of addiction.
‘‘ Little stigma is associated with the abuse of prescription drugs. ... However, when abused, prescription drugs are just as dangerous and addictive as street drugs.”
Special agent in charge, DEA