Certain problems belong to "other people," we sometimes think. Problems like drug abuse would never happen in my family, we think. Well, now that more people die of unintentional drug overdoses than die in traffic accidents, it's time to acknowledge the fact that drug abuse isn't their problem. It's our problem, and that especially includes grandparents.
It especially includes grandparents because of these facts:
These facts come from The Medicine Abuse Project, a multi-year project of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Here are some other things I know about grandparents. We hate to put our medicine out of sight, because we forget to take it. We hate to throw medicine away, because we are frugal. Dr. Carmen Catizone, Executive Director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), warns that most medications should not be saved for future use. Dr. Catizone states that "a medication that was appropriate one month may not be appropriate several months down the road."
Also, most of us have a hard time believing that anyone who comes into our home could be leaving with our drugs. But it happens. Medicine lock boxes can be bought in stores but are sometimes hard to find.
They are, however, easily found online. All grandparents should get one and use it. Lock boxes not only keep our meds from falling into the wrong hands but also prevent accidental poisonings in younger children.
Getting rid of unneeded medications can be a problem. Watch for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, when many law enforcement facilities will help you safely dispose of your medications. The NABP Foundation's AWARxE website has more information about Take-Back Day, including a drop-off locator.
Drug abuse is not their problem. It's ours.
Learn more about substance abuse in the family.
It especially includes grandparents because of these facts:
- Today's epidemic of prescription drug abuse is more deadly than any other drug epidemic in our history.
- Two-thirds of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family.
- Grandparents are often prescribed the painkillers that many teens abuse.
These facts come from The Medicine Abuse Project, a multi-year project of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Here are some other things I know about grandparents. We hate to put our medicine out of sight, because we forget to take it. We hate to throw medicine away, because we are frugal. Dr. Carmen Catizone, Executive Director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), warns that most medications should not be saved for future use. Dr. Catizone states that "a medication that was appropriate one month may not be appropriate several months down the road."
Also, most of us have a hard time believing that anyone who comes into our home could be leaving with our drugs. But it happens. Medicine lock boxes can be bought in stores but are sometimes hard to find.
They are, however, easily found online. All grandparents should get one and use it. Lock boxes not only keep our meds from falling into the wrong hands but also prevent accidental poisonings in younger children.
Getting rid of unneeded medications can be a problem. Watch for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, when many law enforcement facilities will help you safely dispose of your medications. The NABP Foundation's AWARxE website has more information about Take-Back Day, including a drop-off locator.
Drug abuse is not their problem. It's ours.
Learn more about substance abuse in the family.