Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership
Opioid abuse has taken the state by storm as the misusing of
prescription medications continues to increase in high school students and the
connection between prescription painkillers and heroin becomes clearer. The
2015 Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey states that 12% of high school
students have misused prescription medications.
These teens report to getting these substances from friends, family, and
their medicine cabinets. These medications, when taken correctly, can be
helpful to the intended patient, but when misused, they are just as dangerous
as an illicit drug. The Center for Disease Control states that abusing prescription
opioids is the strongest risk factor for a heroin addiction. According to the
Office of National Drug Control Policy, four out of five heroin user’s start by
developing an addiction to prescription painkillers.
Be aware of what is in your medicine cabinet, secure your
medications, and dispose of unused prescriptions at the many prescription
medication drop boxes in Connecticut. View here to find
a local collection box near you!
View additional resources to speak with youth about the dangers of misusing prescription pills and substance abuse.
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