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January, 2012
The Hidden Overdose Story: Prescription
Painkiller Overdoses Outweigh Heroin and Cocaine
Despite all the headlines about heroin overdoses, the
misuse of prescription painkillers is an even bigger problem.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one
in 20 people in the United States, ages 12 and older, have used
prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons, with nearly 15,000
people dying each year from overdosing on these drugs. This outweighs
the combined number of deaths from heroin and cocaine overdoses.
Misused painkillers include such drugs as hydrocodone (Vicodin®),
oxycodone (Oxycotin®), oxymorphone (Opana®) and Fentanyl. In 2009,
there were almost a half a million hospital emergency room visits due
to the misuse or abuse of these products, costing up to $72.5 billion
a year.
Another interesting fact is that middle-aged adults
die from prescription painkiller overdose at a higher rate than other
age groups. Many more men than women die of overdoses. While it is
true that heroin overdoses have been increasing and are still a very
serious problem, the misuse and abuse of painkillers is a much larger
problem.
In Dane County we have seen a dramatic increase in
poisonings over the last 10 years, and the numbers have now surpassed
motor vehicle crashes as a leading cause of injury death. The majority
of all poisonings (hospital visits and death) are due to drugs,
(prescription, over the counter and illicit), but of particular
concern are opiates. Prescription painkillers account for 61% of those
that end up in the hospital for opiate poisoning, while only 25% are
from heroin.
These rates are highest for adults over 35 years of age.
The CDC offers several suggestions on what individuals
can do. Prescription painkillers should only be used as directed by a
health care provider. Problems begin to develop when these medications
are accessible to younger family members and if they are shared with
or sold to others. It is very important to make sure that leftover
medications are securely stored until they can be disposed of
properly. Proper disposal does NOT include flushing them down the
toilet or putting them in the trash.
Another local response to this problem was recently
announced by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Mayor Paul
Soglin. The county and city budgets, approved three weeks ago, include
funds to coordinate an initiative to stop both heroin and prescription
drug overdoses.
These efforts will be coordinated by Safe Communities,
a local public/private partnership that supports and sustains a range
of safety initiatives through collaborations between area agencies,
businesses, and neighborhood organizations.
Factoids
- Between 2006 and 2010, there were almost 7000 people
that went to the hospital (including emergency department visits) with
poisoning.
- The majority of all poisonings (deaths - 85%;
unintentional poisoning hospitalizations* 67%) are due to
prescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs.
- For poisonings that end up in hospitalization, the
drugs of biggest concern are in the opiate and hallucinogen group, in
particular opiate pain medications, esp. Oxycotin, Vicodin & morphine.
Data Source: Public Health
Madison & Dane County
The MedDrop program has four
medication drop-off locations:
- Madison Police East Precinct, 809 South Thompson
Drive: Available 8am-4pm Monday-Friday
- Middleton Police Department, 7341 Donna Drive:
Available 24 hours in the lobby
- Fitchburg Police Department - 5520 Lacy Road:
Available 7:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday
- Sun Prairie Police Department - 300 E. Main Street:
Available 24 hours in the lobby
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As kids are heading back to school, it is important to
remember that teens experience dating violence too. One
in 4 adolescents reports experiencing teen dating violence,
according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
As with adults, this violence can include a pattern of
emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Emotional abuse attacks the victim's self-esteem through put
downs, humiliation, controlling their behavior, or keeping
them away from friends and family.
Physical abuse might look like slapping, pushing, grabbing,
throwing, hitting, shaking or choking.
Sexual abuse could include unwanted touching, peeping, nude
photos or forced sex acts.
Both victims and perpetrators of teen dating violence can
experience serious consequences such as depression, decreased
interest in school or other activities, drug and/or alcohol
abuse and risky sexual behaviors. Teens who are involved in
unhealthy relationships as they are growing up are much more
likely to experience a pattern of unhealthy relationships as
adults, making this a serious community issue.
Warning signs that a teen may be a victim of teen dating
violence may include:
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Spending less time with friends or family
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Making excuses for a dating partner's behavior
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Trouble succeeding in school or work
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Dramatic change in weight or appearance
Only 40% of teen girls and 32% of teen boys who were victims
of teen dating violence asked for help. One of the reasons for
this is that teens don't want to talk with adults about dating
issues-in fact, less than 1 in 4 teens have had a conversation
with their parents about teen dating violence. Parents can
help teens by helping them to feel good about themselves,
listening to them without judgment or criticism, and modeling
positive relationship behaviors.
Healthy relationships involve equality, respect, honest and
open communication and independence for both partners.
Sometimes, traditional ideas about what is normal for men and
women can be a barrier to forming healthy relationships. If a
teenage boy believes that the man should make all the
decisions and control the woman's life, he might be at risk
for perpetrating teen dating violence.
Warning signs that a teen may be a perpetrator of teen dating
violence may include:
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Threatening to hurt others in any way
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Insulting a dating partner in public or in private
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Thinking that violence is a solution to problems
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Breaking things or a dating partner's belongings
There are consequences for perpetrators, too. They could be
expelled from school or even face jail time.
Parents, teachers and others who work with youth can help
prevent teen dating violence. For more information see
www.vetoviolence.org/datingmatters. If you or someone you know
is experiencing relationship violence, please contact Domestic
Abuse Intervention Services at (608) 251-4445.
Villari's Martial Arts offers expert martial arts and
fitness instruction for all ages, experience and ability
levels. Featuring classes in Shaolin Kempo Karate, Kickboxing,
T'ai Chi and Women's Self Defense.
Ali Trevińo-Murphy, Instructor and Manager of Villari's is
a 3rd degree black belt and violence prevention educator
specializing in sexual assault prevention and assertiveness
training. |
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