Altus Mayor David Webb signed a proclamation on Monday, May 13, to proclaim May 17, “Save a Life- Clean Out the Cabinet” Day. (From left) Teddy Bennett - New Hope Treatment Center, John Wampler - District Attorney, David Webb- Altus Mayor, and Bob Carder - Head of Drug Task Force.
Altus Mayor David Webb signed a proclamation on Monday, May 13, to proclaim May 17, “Save a Life- Clean Out the Cabinet” Day.
Drug abuse has been a problem among young people for decades, but with the change of times has come a change in the types of drugs being abused. Today, more and more teens as well as adults are abusing prescription drugs- medications that most people have in their medicine cabinets.
In an effort to spark awareness of this problem, and to provide an outlet that will allow people a safe way to dispose of unneeded prescription medication, the City of Altus will join with District Attorney John Wampler and the District 3 Drug Task Force in holding a “Save a Life- Clean Out the Cabinet” Day, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the first floor of the Altus City Hall.
This event is a follow-up to the National Drug Take Back Day, which promotes a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.
According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined. That same study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got the through friends or relative, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.
Medications often abused include depressants (such as Valium, Xanax, Lunesta, Ambien); opioids and morphine derivatives (such as Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codine, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet, Darvocet, Lortab); stimulants (such as Dexedrine, Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin); and other compounds containing Dextromethorphan, which is used in some cough and cold medications.
Medications like theses that are not being used are prime targets for those who are involved in abusing medications. The goal of the “Save a Life - Clean Out the Cabinet” Day is to make those medications harder to access.
Anyone wanting to dispose of prescription medications that they are not using is encouraged to take part in the this local campaign. We can not accept liquids or aerosols.
By participating in this, the life you save may come from your family.
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