2M2P: Generation Rx. Coral Springs Police Department Community Involvement

Transcription

1 2M2P: Generation Rx Coral Springs Police Department Community Involvement

2 2M2P (2 Minutes 2 Prevent): We know that your time is extremely valuable. This is why the Coral Springs Police Department is launching the 2 Minutes 2 Prevent series of crime prevention tips, techniques, and trends as part of our Make a Call, Make a Difference campaign. If you have just two minutes to review these prevention techniques and information, you can help make the City of Coral Springs a safer place to live. Remember, knowledge is truly power!

3 Generation Rx: The Scope of the Problem According to a U.S. Justice Department report on prescription drugs in 2011, the abuse of prescription medications is the fastest-growing segment for illegal drug use in the United States. More people abuse prescription drugs than the number of people who use cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin combined. The number of emergency room visits attributable to the abuse of prescription drugs increased by 97 percent from 2004 to 2008.

4 Generation Rx & Florida: According to the Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, by 2007 there was a daily average of 9 lethal overdose reports in the state of Florida that involved the non-medical or illegal use of prescription medications, total of 3,317 fatal overdose reports, a 19% increase over the 2,780 fatal overdose from the previous year. According to DEA-ARCOS reports, Florida physicians dispense five times more oxycodone than the national average of dispensing physicians. The number of prescription drug deaths increased 7- percent between 2009 and 2010 across the entire State of Florida. drugsno.com

5 Generation Rx: The Scope of the Problem Prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Ritalin and Valium are now the fourth most abused substances in the United States behind marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. Abuse of prescription medications increased by 94% overall and 212% among 12 to 17 year olds. The explosive increase in prescription drug abuse is of particular concern among teenagers. Recent statistics show that 1 in 5 teens reported that they have abused prescription drugs to get high, and 1 in 7 reported doing so in the past 12 months. drugsno.com

6 Teens & Why Teens tend to abuse substances that are inexpensive and easy to obtain. Prescription medications most often abused include opiates, such as Oxycontin; sedatives, including Xanax and Valium; stimulants, including Ritalin and Dexadrine. All of these medications offer pleasant, euphoric sensations. Stimulants offer improved focus, decreased need for sleep, and reduced appetite and can contribute to weight loss. They are attractive to teens juggling academic and extracurricular activities. drugsno.com

7 Proactive Prevention: In addition to the current street enforcement, programs and investigative methods used to interdict prescription drugs from getting in to the hands of illegal users, the Coral Springs Police Department also facilitates the GRADE (Gang Resistance and Drug Education) program at all County and cooperating private schools located with in the city. Each fifth grade student who participates in this program will be exposed to the principles of why people use drugs, and the negative effects illegal drug use can have on their lives.

8 Parental Involvement: As a parent, do not assume your children do not know anything about drugs. Always seek to stay aware of the current drug trends that may be present in your community and discuss them with your children to help them make better choices and resist peer pressure. Stay abreast of these trends by frequenting web sites such as the United Way of Broward County where information is disseminated online ( Remember, parental expectations, education and open communication are the most effective methods of deterrence to keep your children safe. Pic: m/parenting-your-teen-with-lessstress

9 If you have prescription drugs in your home Lock them up or at least monitor your medicine cabinets. Know how many pills you have and whether your children have access to medicine cabinets at other homes where prescription drugs are most likely present (i.e. grandparents friends of the family etc.). Get rid of prescription drugs that you no longer want by stopping by one of the Coral Spring Police Department s Prescription Take Back" program to rid your home of useless or expired medications. The schedules can be obtained at CoralSprings.org/events or by calling

10 Prescription Take Back Program: Check Coralsprings.org/events or preparenprevent.org for next date/time!

11 Crime Prevention Tip: Don t put your head in the sand!

12 Knowledge = Power Stay aware of the crime trends in the areas you frequent or work. Crime mapping is available at coralsprings.org/police

13 Make a Call, Make a Difference! For more information, visit CoralSprings.org/police or dial 911 for emergencies

14 References: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (1999). : Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Abuse Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) #32. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) (2005) The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) (2005). Under the Counter: The Diversion and Abuse of Controlled Prescription Drugs in the U.S. New York: Author U.S. District Attorney s Office (2011). Prescription Drug Abuse. North District of Georgia - Atlanta Summit. Retrieved: 11/30/11: