Where does Columbia South Carolina stand in regards to these alarming national statistics?
Residents of South Carolina often breath a sigh of relief that some other state, such as Mississippi, has kept South Carolina from “last place” when reviewing statistics regarding educational levels, STD rates, alcohol consumption and DUI’s, yadda… yadda. So often do we see our home stack up poorly compared to the rest of the nation. Should we be surprised to learn of similar trends when we turn the focus to our children and the recent surge in prescription drug abuse?
The worsening economy of recent years has produced unexpected consequences as our nations youth have turned to the illegal use of prescription drugs as teens and adolescents have begun rummaging family medicine cabinets. According to a 2008 “Monitoring the Future” survey, 15.4% of high school seniors have used prescription drugs found in family medicine cabinets for non-medical purposes.
Federal government agencies estimate about twenty five hundred teens each day are abusing legal drugs for the first time. In fact, seven of the top 10 drugs being misused by high-school seniors are legal prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Again, according to a “Monitoring the Future” survey of almost 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade, teens are abusing prescription amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, and Ritalin, as well as over-the-counter cough medication.
Parents can take steps to combat this escalating new trend of prescription drug abuse by our youth as follows:
Get rid of unused medications
Many adults have developed a life long habit of simply leaving numerous prescription pill bottles in a medicine cabinet or some other easily accessed family location. The most affective remedy in the fight against escalating prescription drug abuse is to simply get rid of all unused medications and no longer keep old prescriptions around the house. Reasons for keeping old prescriptions vary but none of these reasons are good enough when one considers our youth is abusing these medications. Discard old medications into the toilet and watch as the pills are flushed away. Do not trust simply throwing medications into a trash can. Take care in discarding old prescription pill bottles as the labels can provide abusive information to identity thieves.
Count your medications and know what you have “on-hand”
Take the time to inventory and “KNOW” what medications you do in fact have in your home. Count your pills… often.
Secure medications
Keeping prescription medications in the family medicine cabinet will not be a big secret to anyone. Keep your active medications in a more secure personal and private location. For females, perhaps your purse and for men, if you have any kind of safe in the house, your prescription medications might need to be the first items placed in them. Lastly, talk with relatives and the parents of your teen's friends and encourage them to keep their medications secured.
And finally, talk with your children!
Let your children know that the misuse of prescription drugs is not safer than abusing illegal drugs and can be just as dangerous.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Questions or comments for the author can be sent to AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the authors recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Columbia SC pharmacies enter prescription drug abuse battle
Prescription drug store chains in Columbia South Carolina have joined forces nationally with NACDS (National Association of Chain Drug Stores) in an ongoing effort in the battle against the growing problem of prescription drug abuse. Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 9:00 am in the Washington DC headquarters of the 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building (a senate subcommittee on crime and terrorism) the NACDS submitted their report to the federal government in a document labeled “Responding to the Prescription Drug Epidemic: Strategies for Reducing Abuse, Misuse, Diversion, and Fraud (The complete NACDS statement is available in PDF format here.) The NACDS believes the following list of actions will help in the fight against prescription drug abuse.
Support by pharmacies for controlled substance prescription monitoring programs.
Using medication therapy management services.
Shutting down illegitimate Internet drug sellers.
Providing patients with a way to dispose of unused medications.
Thirty five states, so far, have joined forces in this fight by setting up controlled substance prescription monitoring programs. In these 35 states, pharmacies report information about all prescriptions of controlled drugs so that suspicious activities can be detected and reported on a national level.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores membership is made up of 39,000 pharmacies that employ 2.7 million employees, including 118,000 full-time pharmacists. The chain drug stores fill about 72% of annual prescriptions nationwide, or about 2.6 billion prescriptions a year. Familiar Columbia names in this chain of drug stores would be Walgreen, Wal-Mart, CVS, Riteaid and many other commonly patronized pharmacies.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
Support by pharmacies for controlled substance prescription monitoring programs.
Using medication therapy management services.
Shutting down illegitimate Internet drug sellers.
Providing patients with a way to dispose of unused medications.
Thirty five states, so far, have joined forces in this fight by setting up controlled substance prescription monitoring programs. In these 35 states, pharmacies report information about all prescriptions of controlled drugs so that suspicious activities can be detected and reported on a national level.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores membership is made up of 39,000 pharmacies that employ 2.7 million employees, including 118,000 full-time pharmacists. The chain drug stores fill about 72% of annual prescriptions nationwide, or about 2.6 billion prescriptions a year. Familiar Columbia names in this chain of drug stores would be Walgreen, Wal-Mart, CVS, Riteaid and many other commonly patronized pharmacies.
If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
Columbia SC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
President Obama signs legislation to “crack down” on prescription drug abuse
Columbia South Carolina is leading the way in a national crack down on prescription drug abuse with its pilot anti-drug program marking a 43 percent decrease in the number of pain medications prescribed as described in a recent Tuesday May 24, 2011 The State news article titled “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
The crack down is coming after a “Senate panel on Tuesday pressed administration officials and experts for answers to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse” reports The State. Senator Sheldon, who is a democrat from RI and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime and terrorism, is reported to have said, "their (prescription drugs) abuse poses a serious and growing threat to our communities and young people".
The paper went on to report that Gil Kerlikowske, the administration's director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the panel that the “U.S faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse”. He said “the pills were popular because they were easy to get and there was a low perception of risk”.
The State article went on to say, “Last month the White House announced plans to crack down on prescription drug abuse, including putting a priority on ridding the nation's medicine cabinets of outdated, unused medications. Kerlikowske said that nearly 75 percent of people who abused prescription drugs reported that they got painkillers from friends or relatives”.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has enacted a program they are terming the national "Prescription Drug Take-Back". The DEA is enforcing this program in all 50 states.
The White House has urged officials to step up efforts in the disposal of prescription drugs. President Barack Obama has signed legislation that would make it easier for consumers to get rid of unused medication.
The States article can be read in its entirety at: “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
Columbia South Carolina residents and citizens experiencing addiction issues with prescription drugs or any other form of addiction are urged to contact one of the many treatment facilities which can be found at: Columbia Treatment Centers
or Columbia's AA Intergroup office.
The crack down is coming after a “Senate panel on Tuesday pressed administration officials and experts for answers to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse” reports The State. Senator Sheldon, who is a democrat from RI and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime and terrorism, is reported to have said, "their (prescription drugs) abuse poses a serious and growing threat to our communities and young people".
The paper went on to report that Gil Kerlikowske, the administration's director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the panel that the “U.S faces an epidemic of prescription drug abuse”. He said “the pills were popular because they were easy to get and there was a low perception of risk”.
The State article went on to say, “Last month the White House announced plans to crack down on prescription drug abuse, including putting a priority on ridding the nation's medicine cabinets of outdated, unused medications. Kerlikowske said that nearly 75 percent of people who abused prescription drugs reported that they got painkillers from friends or relatives”.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) has enacted a program they are terming the national "Prescription Drug Take-Back". The DEA is enforcing this program in all 50 states.
The White House has urged officials to step up efforts in the disposal of prescription drugs. President Barack Obama has signed legislation that would make it easier for consumers to get rid of unused medication.
The States article can be read in its entirety at: “Senate Panel seeks answers to prescription drug abuse”.
Columbia South Carolina residents and citizens experiencing addiction issues with prescription drugs or any other form of addiction are urged to contact one of the many treatment facilities which can be found at: Columbia Treatment Centers
or Columbia's AA Intergroup office.
Columbia Rotarians affirm AA sponsorship concept
Over the many decades since the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, much has been said and second guessed regarding AA’s sponsorship program. There is never a more positive confirmation of any program than the affirmed success of the program itself. Columbia South Carolina has recently just witnessed such affirmation with the great success of the Spring Valley Rotary Club’s mentoring program. This mentoring program was established several years ago by one of Columbia’s true hero’s and Fort Jackson’s former commanding general, Maj. Gen John A. Renner, Ret., Army Ranger. (Read more: Former Fort Jackson commander Renner dies)
The Rotarians have an established program now where they meet weekly, usually Monday nights for 1 ½ hours. In the sessions, about 10 community volunteers huddle in one-on-one sessions with their "clients'' who have signed contracts acknowledging their readiness to enter the mentoring relationship. Clients into this prestigious six-month program are processed through the Salvation Army after being screened by other agencies. The "State" article goes on to say, “The Rotarians are helping recovering alcoholics and drug addicts re-enter society as sober, productive wage-earners”.
Much more can be learned about this amazing program at: “Business give new hope to addicts”.
For further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in Columbia South Carolina, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
If you or a loved one are experiencing the heartache of one of this nations greatest challenges, addiction, this examiner truly wishes you the absolute best of luck and is confident compassionate resources will be found at the above describe locations and resources.
The Rotarians have an established program now where they meet weekly, usually Monday nights for 1 ½ hours. In the sessions, about 10 community volunteers huddle in one-on-one sessions with their "clients'' who have signed contracts acknowledging their readiness to enter the mentoring relationship. Clients into this prestigious six-month program are processed through the Salvation Army after being screened by other agencies. The "State" article goes on to say, “The Rotarians are helping recovering alcoholics and drug addicts re-enter society as sober, productive wage-earners”.
Much more can be learned about this amazing program at: “Business give new hope to addicts”.
For further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction in Columbia South Carolina, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers
Additional addiction questions can best be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
www.area62.org
If you or a loved one are experiencing the heartache of one of this nations greatest challenges, addiction, this examiner truly wishes you the absolute best of luck and is confident compassionate resources will be found at the above describe locations and resources.
Gov. Nikki Haley vetoes addiction bill
In Tuesday’s “The State” newspaper, Columbia South Carolina’s governor is reported to have vetoed an addiction bill. At first glance, a misleading opinion might be garnered by the reader as the states news paper initially reports the vetoed bill would make it “more difficult to start addiction treatment programs” in South Carolina. Further reading of the newspaper article yields a differing opinion.
The bill, S. 232, “would allow the Department of Health and Environmental Control to regulate certain facilities that treat drug addiction. The bill would require such facilities to require a Certificate of Need, which can become a political process among competing health care providers” reports the governor’s office.
Governor Haley clarifies her position by stating, “I believe the Certificate of Need program creates unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market," Haley wrote. “The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed”.
In short it appears the governor favors South Carolina’s free market place to decide which treatment facilities fail or succeed which should favor the people in need, South Carolina’s addicted and ill.
The full State article can be found at: Haley vetoes insurance, addiction bills
Further detailed information regarding South Carolina’s treatment centers can be found at : South Carolina's Treatment Centers
And lastly, Columbia's specific treatment centers may be found at: Columbia South Carolina's Treatment Centers
Columbia SC specifically, has seven treatment centers which are as follows:
Starting Point LLC
1421 Bluff Road
Columbia, SC 29201
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center Earle E Morris Jr
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Richland Springs Psychiatric Hospital
11 Medical Park
Columbia, SC 29203
The Midlands LRADAC/The Behavioral Health Center of
1325 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
MCXL-PHS (ASAP) Moncrief Army Community Hospital
4500 Stuart Street
Columbia, SC 29207
Veterans Affairs Medical Center William Jennings Bryant Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
William Jennings Bryan Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
The bill, S. 232, “would allow the Department of Health and Environmental Control to regulate certain facilities that treat drug addiction. The bill would require such facilities to require a Certificate of Need, which can become a political process among competing health care providers” reports the governor’s office.
Governor Haley clarifies her position by stating, “I believe the Certificate of Need program creates unnecessary regulation for the healthcare market," Haley wrote. “The CON process allows government to ration care, stifle competition in the medical field, and pick which facilities and practices are allowed to succeed”.
In short it appears the governor favors South Carolina’s free market place to decide which treatment facilities fail or succeed which should favor the people in need, South Carolina’s addicted and ill.
The full State article can be found at: Haley vetoes insurance, addiction bills
Further detailed information regarding South Carolina’s treatment centers can be found at : South Carolina's Treatment Centers
And lastly, Columbia's specific treatment centers may be found at: Columbia South Carolina's Treatment Centers
Columbia SC specifically, has seven treatment centers which are as follows:
Starting Point LLC
1421 Bluff Road
Columbia, SC 29201
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center Earle E Morris Jr
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Richland Springs Psychiatric Hospital
11 Medical Park
Columbia, SC 29203
The Midlands LRADAC/The Behavioral Health Center of
1325 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
MCXL-PHS (ASAP) Moncrief Army Community Hospital
4500 Stuart Street
Columbia, SC 29207
Veterans Affairs Medical Center William Jennings Bryant Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
William Jennings Bryan Dorn
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
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