Teen Prescription Drug Abuse, Drug Disposal Program
Sometimes, teenager’s drug of choice is found right in your own medicine cabinet. In fact, research shows one in five teens has abused prescription pain medication.
“They’ll pretty much take anything from a medicine cabinet without knowing side affects or what they’ll do,” Heartland Coalition Director Kellie Rubbel-Henrichs said. “The ones we hear more about are going to be the real strong pain killers.”
Painkillers like Vicodin and Hydrocodone; these drugs can are considered controlled substances and if misused can lead to addictions and even death.
“Some people will find the first time they use a prescription drug they might be addicted where others find it takes a little bit longer so there’s a risk of never knowing which person you’re going to be,” Rubbel-Henrichs said.
Local police departments, Leadership McLean County and the Heartland Coalition are taking action. Instead of throwing away or flushing your old controlled substances, you can take them to secure drop boxes. Those drop off locations include Bloomington and Normal’s police stations and Illinois State University’s pharmacy.
“We feel as though we’re one of the only agencies in town who can handle those types of substances,” Assistant Bloomington Police Chief Robert Wall said. “We obviously don’t want them getting in the wrong hands and on top of that we don’t want them in our drinking water.”
“We thought it was a good idea to jump on board and join a host of locations and police departments across the country to give the public a place to dispose of them.” Normal Police Chief Kent Crutcher said.
This way, the drugs will not find their ways into our drinking water or into the wrong hands.
“The drug of choice sometimes is exactly what’s in the medicine cabinet at home, so it’s very important that people are aware in the community and that we all engage in this proper disposal and get these drugs secured,” Leadership McLean County member Sue Necessary said.
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