Community Corner

Prescription Drug Abuse Concerns Prompt New Tactics By Town

Meetings, survey, drug-take-back day designed to help town, parents, teens develop strategy to help stem abuse.

For too many kids, prescription drugs are free, available, and sometimes no further away than the closest medicine cabinet in their home.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection says that one in five teens have abused prescription drugs, including oxycodone, which is a narcotic opiate like heroin. In addition to a whole series of physical problems, the use of oxycodone can lead to the use of heroin, since it is "easier to get and less expensive," according to literature from the state.

Another problem is that three in 10 teens think that prescription drugs are not dangerous.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To help tackle those problems and misperceptions, the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition (MADE) has planned a series of meetings for parents to help educate them about the growing scope of the problem. MADE also plans to include questions about prescription drug abuse on its next survey of teens, which is coming up.

"It's on the rise nationally and we think it's on the rise here," said MADE Chairman Lori Lodge, at a recent meeting of MADE. "These drugs are increasingly available to kids, sometimes in their own medicine cabinet.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The first meeting will be Oct. 27th at town hall at the from 7 to 8 p.m. in Room A. This meeting will educate parents about the new elements of the survey.

On Nov. 3rd, 7th to 12th graders in Madison will be surveyed about alcohol/drug use and the survey will include a new prescription drug component.

On Nov. 10th, MADE has will sponsor an informational session and talk with parents about prescription drug abuse. Presenters include Catherine LeVasseur from The Governor’s Prevention Partnership and Charles Grady, Senior Investigator, U.S. Attorney’s Office, New Haven. This free event will be at 6:45 p.m. at Memorial Town Hall, upper level.

Nov. 12th is prescription drug take back day. People will be able to drop off old prescription drugs at police department and other locations Time: 10am-2pm, Locations will be in front of , which next to Memorial Town Hall across from the town green at 8 Meeting House Lane and Roberts Food Center, at the Madison Shopping Center in North Madison.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here