PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE

Prescription Medications are often lifesavers. When we are sick, we go see a doctor and we are prescribed medicines that help us feel better. When used for the wrong purpose, prescription medications can be deadly. 

What are prescription drugs?

Prescription medicine is a legal drug that requires a medical prescription to be dispensed. In contrast, over-the-counter drugs can be obtained without a prescription.

Why are there restrictions?

Prescription drugs require a medical note because of the presence of controlled substances with great potential for drug abuse and misuse. These controlled substances have a great potential for addiction. 

What is prescription drug abuse?

Prescription drug abuse refers to the non-medical use of prescription medications including:

  • Taking prescription medications not prescribed to you

  • Sharing medications with other individuals

  • Taking prescription medications in a different way than recommended by a doctor (i.e. in a different manner or dosage other than prescribed)

What are the concerns?

  • The human body has the potential to become addicted to various prescription drugs when misused. The prolonged use of prescription medications without doctor’s supervision can lead to dependence. This means that a person needs to use prescription drugs to simply feel normal or ok.

  • Our nation is currently facing an opioid crisis. Every day, more than 90 Americans die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

  • https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-crisis

What can you do?

  • Be informed - Learn about the dangers of prescription drugs. 

  • Be aware – Know the signs of prescription drug abuse.

  • Take Action –Dispose of your unused, unwanted and expired medicines at Rx medicine drop boxes located near you.