October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month

At one point or another, we’ve all used prescription drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to alleviate an illness — whether it’s to relieve pain or curb a cough.
Unfortunately, too many teens are abusing these drugs for a quick high. In response to our country’s medicine abuse epidemic, the Belleville Area Cares Coalition is promoting National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month.
Nationally, prescription drugs are the second most abused category of drugs after marijuana, with one in five young adults reporting that they have abused a prescription drug.
In addition, the 2011 Monitoring the Future Survey found that 5 percent of teens have abused over-the-counter cough medicines containing the active ingredient dextromethorphan to get high over the past year.
When abused in extreme excess—sometimes as much as 25 to 50 times the recommended dose—dextromethorphan can produce dangerous side effects, especially when combined with alcohol, illicit drugs, or certain prescription drugs.
“Our coalition has been working tirelessly to promote awareness of underage drinking, illicit/illegal drug abuse and medicine abuse by teens and adults since 2015 through education, community engagement, and local media,” said Doug McLain, Coalition Chairperson. “In bringing awareness to parents, educators, health professionals and other concerned citizens we hope to prevent any further tragedies involving teens and prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines.”
The Belleville Area Community Coalition is one of hundreds across the country promoting awareness events.
The national campaign, sponsored by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), aims to educate parents and youth of the potential dangers associated with prescription and OTC medicine abuse.
If you’re interested in attending one of our meetings, please contact Doug McLain at (608) 316-1118 or by dougm@fsmad.org.
Our coalition meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Belleville Village Hall.