PEA RIDGE — There will be a safe disposal for unused or expired medication held 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Pea Ridge Police Department, 187 Slack Street, Pea Ridge.
In 2008, there were 6.2 million Americans aged 12 years and olderwho abused prescription drugs for non-medical purposes within the past month - more than the number of people who are abusing cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants, combined.
Prescription drugs are new drug abusers’ drugs of choice. In 2008, on average, 6,000 persons per day abused prescription pain relievers for the first time. The total number of individuals that initiate with any controlled substance pharmaceutical for the first time far exceeds the number of individuals that abuse marijuana for the firsttime.
According to the Center for Disease Control, prescription drugs, including opioids and antidepressants, are responsible for more overdose deaths than “street drugs” such as cocaine, heroin and amphetamines.
Community, Pages 6 on 04/11/2012