On my final series of the journey to explore drug in Cross County, I was very surprised to learn about the abuse of prescription drugs especially among our youth.  Ms. Shirley Harvel (interviewee in last week’s article) had informed me that this was a major problem and that I should look into it so I did and was very surprised at what I learned.
Law enforcement officials and experts in drug addiction are also concerned about growth in the abuse of prescription drugs. In Arkansas, the abuse of prescription drugs is particularly alarming because it is getting worse among teenagers. A report by a federal agency found that Arkansas youth ages 12-17 led the nation in prescription drug abuse in 2007. Another study, conducted in 2008, indicated that 22 percent of Arkansas teenagers had taken prescription drugs for fun rather than for treatment of an illness. 

An official at the Ark. state Board of Pharmacy said that the problem is growing  exponentially. “Teens are abusing prescription drugs because they believe the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high." This common misconception leads some teens to bring prescription drugs from their home and share them with kids at school, or even take them, often mixing several kinds together, at parties. However, when they are not used according to a doctor's prescription they can cause serious side effects, addiction and even death.

People often obtain prescription drugs by "doctor shopping." That means going to numerous physicians for multiple prescriptions for controlled drugs like powerful painkillers and anti-depressants.

The attorney general as well as law enforcement officials have begun a campaign to educate the public. The campaign emphasizes the importance of monitoring how many drugs are in the family medicine cabinet and securing them from youngsters. Finally, the campaign promotes proper disposal. If you have unused prescription drugs don't leave them around the house. Most drugs should be thrown out in the trash. Mix them with unpleasant substances like garbage, kitty litter or dirt. Peel the label off old drug bottles to prevent anyone from using it for an improper refill. Some drugs should be flushed down the toilet. Call 1-888-463-6332 for information about disposing of old medications.

Some things you can do to prevent your teen from abusing prescription drugs include:

1. Monitor the quantity of pills that are in a bottle or pill packet and keep track of refills. You may also consider keeping your prescriptions in a lockbox or locked cabinet.
2. Set clear rules for your teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine, and always following the medical provider's advice and dosages.
 3. Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines. If you misuse your prescription drugs by sharing them with your kids, or abusing them yourself, your teen will take notice.
4. Properly dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash. Remember to remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you throw them away.
5. Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well. Make sure your friends and relatives, especially grandparents, know about the risks too, and encourage them to regularly monitor and secure their own medicine cabinet.
 
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel strongly encourages all parents to sit down with their children and talk with them about prescription drugs and the dangers of abusing them. "We, as parents, must teach our children the dangers of all kinds of drugs - including prescription medication," says McDaniel.

Due the seriousness of the problem, last month the White House announced plans to crack down on prescription drug abuse, including putting a priority on ridding the nation's medicine cabinets of outdated, unused medications. It was said that nearly 75 percent of people who abused prescription drugs reported that they got painkillers from friends or relatives.

The legislation would call for national adoption of a Medicaid "Lock-In" program, which limits the number of doctors high-risk patients can visit, as well as the pharmacies from which the patients can obtain prescriptions. South Carolina's pilot program spurred a 43 percent decrease in the number of pain medications prescribed.

I was concerned about these alarming results. I had a mother that was willing to come by and talk to me about the ordeal she had with her son who had recently received treatment in rehab for prescription drug abuse. Since this is a very personal matter I will call her “Ann”. 

Ann told me that her son had been feeling anxious and so she took him to the Dr. where he received a prescription for Xanax. (Xanax is primarily used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and with moderate depression.) She told me this was the beginning of a 7 year battle with addiction. “If I could only go back I would’ve found another way. I would have got him to exercise more or something.”

He got to where he was angry, lashing out, aggressive, and couldn’t keep a job. He would stay out all night and sleep all day. The people he hung around with were the same way.  He had no trouble getting the prescription drugs without a prescription and was continuously getting arrested for them. “I realized later that I was enabling him by continuously bailing him out.”

One day her son came in and looked like “death”. She realized that she had better do something or it would be too late. She then called the law enforcement and told them that she was going to forcibly admit him for treatment. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” She said that you can forcibly admit someone if you felt their life was in danger.

He was admitted to a place in Newport called “Project New Start“ in Newport, AR. This a Christian based program that helps men and women with their addictions. There are strict guidelines that you have to follow. “I could visit him twice a week. He was angry at first but finally thanked me for saving his life.”

She was proud that he was able to finish the 6 month program with a good standing. “His life has changed. If he can only change his environment.” (I noticed this is a common denominator in all addictions.) She says he is living out of town now and looking for a job. However, she was cautious. “I worry about him coming home for just a day, afraid that he will go back to his old friends and old ways.”

She said that other parents were calling her that were having the same problem. “I could hear the fear in their voices just like I’ve had.” She said it’s very helpful to talk to others who have been through the same thing.

After talking with her I empathized with her, her son, and her family for the pain that they have been through. Drug addicts are not the only victims. I was deeply touched by her passion to tell her story so others may learn about this terrible epidemic.

After that I received a call from a lady who had told me how my last article had touched her. She and her family had been victims of what seems to be a plague in our area. I felt the pain in her voice as she told me of her ordeal.

I don’t know if it was the music on my cd, my hormones or the pain that I had just felt by talking to these family members, but tears fell down my face all the way home. I have my father’s nature to want to fix everything and make it all ok but I know that this is not an easy problem to fix.

Although I can’t bring back the child whose lost a parent, a marriage that is broken, or bring back the years who were stolen by substance abuse, I hope in some small way that I can inspire some family member to take action and get some help. 

To learn more about teenage prescription drug abuse, including how to tell if your teenager is abusing prescription drugs, visit the following sites:
-www.drugabuse.gov
