Prescription drug abuse prevention task force awarded grant to continue their work

Officials from the Kalamazoo, Michigan County Substance Abuse Task Force recently announced that they have received $2,500 in funds to help continue their fight against prescription drug abuse, reports the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Officials told the news source that the task force aims to educate community members, healthcare professionals and pharmacies on how prescription medication has been landing in the wrong hands. For instance, more children and teens are abusing opiate painkillers such as Percocet than in recent years.

The volunteer-based program received the grant after developing and distributing education packets to area pharmacies and healthcare locations. Furthermore, they raised awareness of prescription medication abuse at six large community events where they delivered their “Secure Your Meds” message during October.

Officials from the task force added that the funding will be put toward developing and executing more countywide educational programs. Boarding schools can help teens who suffer from opiate addiction by designing individualized therapy that can help them overcome their condition and achieve behavioral and academic success.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 5 percent of high school seniors reported abusing the opiate painkiller Oxycontin at least once during their lifetime.