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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2009)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Lock It All Up! Limiting Prescription Drug Abuse by Youth by DeAnna Pearl. A&D Prevention I was reading a magazine that had an article on how to better get to know someone by looking in their bathroom cabinet. The article went on to state how easy it would be to do. They are right, it is easy. If it’s easy lor a visitor to get access to your meds, how easy would it be for your child, niece/ nephew, grandchild and cousin to gain access to them? in recent years, addictions counsel ors, police and school personnel have re ported their concern about an increase in youth prescription drug abuse. Prescrip tion drugs can be helpful when used ap propriately. When not used as intended or when used by individuals not prescribed the medication, prescription drugs are harmful. by not dispensing or limiting prescrip tions because of the misuse and reselling of these drugs. The Siletz. Community Health Clinic's policy states: "... that patients presenting with requests for refills or replacement of controlled substances that are identified as lost, stolen or misplaced will be docu mented on the PCC and reviewed by the provider. Providers may or may not autho rize a refill. If the medication is reported as stolen, the patient will be responsible for filing a police report.” Why Youth Abuse Prescription Drugs • Prescription Drugs and the Law The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act states that in some cases, it’s illegal to possess prescription drugs without a phy sician s authorization. Obtaining prescrip tion drugs that contain narcotics without advising the physician that you have received a similar prescription within the last 30 days is called double-doctoring. If convicted ot this illegal activity, sentenc ing can include imprisonment. According to the police in Toledo, Ore., there has been a doubling and tri pling of reported prescription drug theft. Unfortunately, the resale of individual pills is becoming an easy moneymaker for youth and adults. How does this affect the rest of us? Some medical facilities are cracking dow n hard on abuse of prescription drugs use can lead to physical and psychological dependence. High doses of barbiturates, for example, can result in death from respira tory arrest. Mixing prescription drugs with alcohol can be lethal. Sadly, prescription drugs also are being used in combination with over- the-counter medications as methods to attempt suicide. According to Oregon Vital Statistics, while the use of a firearm (67 percent) is most common, the pre ferred option by minors in Oregon is by poisoning with over-the-counter medica tion such as Advil, Benadryl, ibuprofen, Motrin and Naproxen. • • • • Availability - In the last several years, the number of prescription drugs available on the street has increased. There are reports of prescription drugs being sold in schoolyards and at recreational facilities, such as skate parks and youth centers. Accessibility - Youth are reporting easy access to a variety of prescrip tion drugs. Peer Pressure - The misuse and abuse of non-prescribed prescription drugs is becoming more acceptable within youth circles. Adult Behavior - Youth model the behavior and attitudes they observe. Family Problems - Youth often turn to substances to cope with stresses in their family. Actions We Can Take to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse • • • As a parent, we can ensure all pre scription drugs are used and stored appropriately. Lock them up. As a community we can inform the police of any suspicious activity. As a school, we can educate our students about the dangers of pre scription drug abuse. As well, we can • establish policies to help eliminate the buying and selling of prescription drugs on school property. As students, we can become aware of the dangers of prescription drug misuse and make the use of such substances unacceptable. Lock up or find a more secure place to put prescriptions for safe keeping instead of a medicine cabinet. Parents are the No. 1 deterrent of ATOD use, misuse and abuse. Talk with your kids about the importance of not sharing medication or taking medication without your permission. Know what your kids are taking and find out how often. Teach them how to read labels and warn ings. Warn them to never mix alcohol with any medication. If you would like more information on the effects of prescription drugs on the brain or how to know if your child is misusing or abusing drugs, please call me 541-444-8267 or 800-600-5599. Happy New Year! Many harmful side effects can occur when taking non-prescribed drugs. Regular TLC Attitudes of Gratitude by Lynn Whitlow No resolutions from me this year, again. Why waste time and energy then not fol low through? If I followed through every time I said, "My resolution is to lose weight this year" I’d be model thin. Think that worked? Not! I quit that several years ago. Now I make a new commitment each year to make as many healthy choices for my body as I can and to make my “world" a better place to be in by giving of myself and my time to causes that will make a difference. I am committed to organizing my household belongings so they work for me. 1 can do this in small daily and weekly sessions. Those are "do-able" for me on a consistent basis. I his year I am going to remember to let people in my life know they are special and/or appreciated. A kind word or two can go a long way toward making the world a more positive place - one person at a time. I he residents at theTLC can always find gratitudes in their daily living. Some they ha\e verbalized this past month include: “____ is happy to quit smoking," “My dad is OK.' “Going to pow-wow,” “For my new sponsor - she gives me hope!” “____ is happy lot family, For cold, crisp winter nights" and “To spend time with my sister and nephew." Other gratitudes include: “To be able to see my family during the holidays!” “To be dean on the holidays! "Thankful for a healthy, happy son!” Plus an appreciation for home. To feel safe when at home, and “To be home!” Thank you volunteers for being here most weeks. Alice McCain. Lisa Brown and Jackie Ashley. You rock! Your commitment to this place is phenomenal. As the person who stays here when no one else does. 1 appreciate you more than you can know. You are part of why TLC residents feel safe when they are home. Thank you to Bill Wheeler for giving us some pointers on operating the power washer, for those of us who figure things out better from seeing rather than reading directions that are written for people who already know what they are doing. I hope each of you has a new year filled with many joys. May your problems be solvable and your sorrows minimal. Step outside of yourself and do something to make your world a better place for others. 6 Siletz News • January 2009 SAMHSA grant, discuss the Siletz Tribe's partnership with Lincoln County under this grant at the CEDARR meeting in December.
