Recommendations on drug abuse

MATAMORAS — The Eastern Pike Regional Police Department in conjunction with the Pike County District Attorney’s Office and the Delaware Valley School District have seen an increase in prescription drug abuse among teens. We all express concern as a whole and as a community in the increase in drug abuse. While overall teen drug use is in a steady decline nationwide, an alarming number of teenagers are abusing medicine to get high. Teens are self-medicating to deal with problems such as stress and depression, or to help them juggle schoolwork and after school activities. Many teenagers think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs to get high can be as dangerous and addictive as narcotics and other illicit drugs. The partnership for a Drug Free America has reported: • One in five teens have abused prescription pain medication • One in five report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers • One in 10 has abused cough medication The Eastern Pike Regional Police Department wants to make sure that parents and teenagers know the risks of misusing prescription and over the counter medication. And to provide ways to help prevent it’s abuse. 1. When abused, prescription and over the counter drugs can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs. Side effects of prescription drugs and withdrawal from them varies with the drug abused, but common effects include poor concentration, disorientation, apathy, feelings of confusion, addiction, anxiety, hostility and aggression, respiratory depression, dizziness, slurred speech, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting, tremors, convulsions, lack of energy, increased heart rate and breathing, heart attacks, coma, and death. 2. Taking prescription medication for purposes other than what is intended of the medication is a CRIME, and is punishable under Pennsylvania Law. 3. Distribution of prescription medication is a crime, and will be handled as such. So the underlying question is: What can I do? 1. Start by talking to your children about drugs…it’s not as difficult as you might think. 2. Take advantages of the resources available on line and at your local police department. 3. Keep all prescription medication hidden or out of reach. 4. Explain to teens the consequences of taking un-prescribed medication (for example: pain killers are made from opioids, the same substance in heroin.) Drug abuse as a whole is a crime, which affects not only individuals and families, but also communities in general. It is not only our duty as a police department to enforce the laws, but to provide education on the growing concerns of our community and the action that we can take to combat the problem. The police, the District Attorney’s office, and the School District need your help. Prevention starts at home!