More and more we hear about the Opioid Epidemic and the huge crisis in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of an addiction to opioids including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. To learn more about what fentanyl click here.  So what is prescription drug misuse? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Prescription drug misuse and abuse is the intentional or unintentional use of medication without a prescription, in a way other than prescribed, or for the experience or the feeling it causes. Prescription drugs are misused and abused more often than any other drug, excluding marijuana and alcohol. This growth is fueled by misperceptions about prescription drug safety and the increasing availability.

Prescription drug abuse-related emergency department visits and treatment admissions have risen significantly in recent years. Other negative outcomes that may result from prescription drug misuse and abuse include falls and fractures in older adults, for some, initiating injection drug use with resulting risk for infections such as Hepatitis C, HIV, overdose and even death. According to results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 12.7% of drug users began with prescription pain relievers.

In our older adult communities, more than 80% of older patients (aged 57 to 85 years) use at least one prescription medication daily, with more than 50% taking more than five medications or supplements daily. This can potentially lead to health issues resulting from unintentionally using a prescription medication. The high rates of multiple chronic illnesses in older populations, changes in drug metabolism, use of over-the-counter medicine and the potential for drug interactions make medication (and other substance) misuse more dangerous amongst older people than in younger populations. A large percentage of older adults also use over-the-counter medicines and dietary supplements, which (in addition to alcohol) could compound any adverse health consequences resulting from nonmedical use of prescription drugs.

If you would like to learn more about how to spot and avoid the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, visit our CAREcoaltionaz.org website for upcoming  Rx360 workshops within Tolleson, Avondale and Goodyear. Rx360 is a one-hour community workshop that educates on the dangers of prescription drug abuse and how to dispose of them safely and effectively. The Rx 360 workshop is delivered to teens and adults separately and each group will learn the following;

Adults:

  • Why youth misuse prescription drugs
  • How to communicate with your youth
  • Safeguarding your medication
  • How to identify prescription drug abuse
  • Proper disposal method of unused/expired medication

Teens:

  • Resistance strategies
  • Dangers of prescription drug abuse
  • Sharing medication risks

For more information about our Drug Education and Prevention (DEP) please contact Priscilla Canez at Priscilla.canez@touchstonebh.org