DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Program,
September 25th
DEA is asking for your help. As you know, prescription drugs are being misused and abused at alarming rates throughout the United States. As part of our efforts to address this problem, DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, all over the United States. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.
Collection sites can be found by going to the link found at www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com or www.JustThinkTwice.com. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations. You can help make this event a success by sharing information about the program with your membership, partner organizations, and others who are concerned about prescription drug abuse. In addition, anyone interested in helping to have a take back event in their community are encouraged to contact their local police or sheriff’s office, or by calling the appropriate DEA Field Office.
Local Children Experience Educational Puppet Show
http://www.kittanningpaper.com/2010/08/11/local-children-experience-educational-puppet-show/9712
Kids Get Treated Like Suspects On Drug Reality Tour
Kittanning Police Take Teenagers Through Experience Of Being Arrested
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/24583937/detail.html
Prescription Drug Abuse Skyrockets Among Youth
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It has become a national crisis and an epidemic in our region.
The abuse of prescription drugs is turning more people into addicts and claiming more lives.
In southwestern Pennsylvania, that abuse is especially prevalent among young people.
"I started taking vicodin, percoset," Brian said.
He became an addict after abusing prescription drugs. He is certainly not alone.
"People are – they're abusing them, you know? They don't take it for their pain, they take it to get a high," he said.
...READ MORE >>
August 3, 2010 | KDKA.com
ARC Manor is Opening Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient treatment services starting July 5th in Clarion!!!
Located at 214 S. 7th Ave 2nd floor.
Call 1-800-323-1333 to schedule an initial appointment.
We look forward to serving Clarion County!!
Prevention Program Highlighted by Local News
Our INTRO TO DRUGS: What Kids DON’T Want You to Know prevention program is being highlighted by local news!!!
wearecentralpa.com/content/fulltext/news/?cid=142171
www.wjactv.com/news/22221914/detail.html
www.indianagazette.com/articles/2010/01/17/news/10032726.txt
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarships for both high school and college/graduate school students are available with these criteria:
- Be accepted by, or currently enrolled at, an accredited college, university, or other post-secondary institution in the United States.
- (If applicant is a high school senior) enroll with a major in a social/human services field. Preference will be given to a student pursuing a degree in the drug & alcohol field.
- (If applicant is NOT a high school senior) be enrolled in a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree program in the drug & alcohol field.
If interested, apply at www.accfound.org/non-traditional-adult-students/.
Signs & Symptoms of Teen Drinking and Drug Use
How can you tell if your child is using drugs or alcohol? It is difficult because changes in mood or attitudes, unusual temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and changes in hobbies or other interests are common in teens. What should you look for?
You can also look for signs of depression, withdrawal, carelessness with grooming or hostility. Also ask yourself, is your child doing well in school, getting along with friends, taking part in sports or other activities?
Watch List for Parents
- Changes in friends
- Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades
- Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
- Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors
- Subtle changes in conversations with friends, e.g. more secretive, using “coded” language
- Change in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use
- Increase in borrowing money
- Evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.
- Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common household products); Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories
- Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
- New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol
- Missing prescription drugs—especially narcotics and mood stabilizers
These changes often signal that something harmful is going on—and often that involves alcohol or drugs. You may want to take your child to the doctor and ask him or her about screening your child for drugs and alcohol. This may involve the health professional asking your child a simple question, or it may involve a urine or blood drug screen. However, some of these signs also indicate there may be a deeper problem with depression, gang involvement, or suicide. Be on the watch for these signs so that you can spot trouble before it goes too far.
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov is a comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention, including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth, will find a wealth of valuable information here:
www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Anti-addiction pill may curb smoking, drinking
WASHINGTON - A single pill appears to hold promise in curbing the urges to both smoke and drink, according to researchers trying to help people overcome addiction by targeting a pleasure center in the brain.
... read more >>
June 7, 2007 | CADCA Coalitions Online