How To Stop It
- Proper disposal of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs - Benton County has a safe disposal program for medications, called PyroMed, 8 a.m. - Noon, the second Saturday of each month at the Benton County Courthouse. Call Environmental Services at 479-271-1083 for more information.
- Keep medicines in a locked location
- Know how many pills you have of each medication
- Watch for medicine abuse symptoms in family members
- Be a good role model for your children – also try to take your medications in private
- In 2002, 6.2 million Americans abused prescription drugs. Of these, more than 70 percent used painkillers.
- Medicine abuse by U.S. teens and young adults as reported in the Partnership for a Drug Free America’s 2008 annual tracking study:
- 1 in 5 teens have abused a prescription pain medication
- 1 in 5 report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
- 1 in 10 has abused cough medication
- 85% of overdose deaths are caused by prescription drug abuse
