Prescription Drugs

Click HERE to find out about our next Prescription Drug Turn in Event.
Click HERE to find out about our Rx University Series.
Click HERE to view videos by Dr. Drew on Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

Prescription drug abuse and misuse is on the rise.  It has become more prevalent among adults, but it is increasing dramatically among our youth as well.  It’s important to understand that prescription drugs unlike illegal substances, are often a harder topic to discuss, because when used under proper conditions, they can save lives or provide needed relief for ill patients.  When misused or abused however prescription drugs can become addictive, and can even lead to death.

We would like to urge you; whether you’re a parent, or grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even if you have no children or youth in your life, to LOCK UP your prescription drugs.  Trust us, we’re not naive.  We know that if an adult or teen want to break in and get the drugs, no lock you can put on will keep them from doing so.  However this is an active act of a responsible adult saying, these drugs are to be used only as our doctor prescribed them, I am putting my family’s safety first and they are locked up because of these reasons. 

Talk about it! If you have young children or teens, this can open up an opportunity for discussion.  Tell them why you’re locking up the drugs, tell them why they should only be used as prescribed by the doctor and encourage them to ask questions or air any concerns they may have.  Also tell them that if they know any friends or peers who are misusing drugs that they should let you know because you care about their safety.  Often times they know of other kids who are taking drugs on campus, or giving them to other kids and you may be the only adult who is bringing this concern to light.  This may give your child the opportunity they’ve been looking for to talk about what’s going on at school.

Model good behavior.  Have you ever heard the saying “actions speak louder than words?”  If you are giving your spouse one of your medications or if your child gets hurt and you’re giving them one of your painkillers, what your actions are saying to your children are; this drug is safe for me to give out to others, and even though the doctor only prescribed this to me, and even though this is AGAINST THE LAW, it’s okay.  These actions lead youth to believe that they can also share their drugs or take your drugs and share them.  If you didn’t see the first time, it is AGAINST THE LAW for you to give your prescriptions to other people.  You are essentially distributing controlled substances.  To read more about those laws enacted to protect us go here; http://www.goodmedicinebadbehavior.org/explore/distribution_system.html.

Like stated above, even if you have no children or visitors with children, another reason to keep your prescription drugs locked up is to prevent theft.  At one of our prescription drug turn-in events held in collaboration with our local police department, an elderly citizen shared a story about how a contractor had come in to her house to fix something, did his job, asked to use her rest room and he STOLE HER DRUGS!  Unfortunately she did not notice they were gone for a few days and when she tried to reach the contractor he ignored her calls and she didn’t tell the police at the time.  Don’t let this happen to you!  Prescription drugs have high resale value on the streets and people often times do desperate things when they need money.  Just like you wouldn’t have your diamond ring sitting next to your toothbrush in an unlocked cabinet, don’t leave your prescription drugs out either! 

Finally, when you can, get rid of drugs you no longer need.  If they are expired; or they were left behind when a loved one passed away, or they are just an unused portion of a prescription from awhile ago, it’s important to get rid of them in a safe an environmentally safe way.  Find a local organization who is sponsoring drug turn in events or call your local police or sheriff’s office to see if they will take them.

To see a list of drop box locations in the state of Oregon click here;

View Permanent Drug Turn In Locations in a larger map