70% of people 12 and older who abuse prescription medications say they got them from a friend or relative, according to a 2014 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Studies. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf
When used as directed, prescription medicine provides great benefits for people with a wide range of short-term to debilitating chronic diseases and medical conditions. Many important medicines are found in nearly every U.S. household, but far too many people don’t realize the responsibilities that come with having them in the home. Many terrible tragedies could have been prevented if medications had been kept out of the wrong hands.
When a friend or family member visits most people don’t suspect them of having a substance abuse problem, after all these are people who we know and like, they are “good people”. Most of us are not aware of the warning signs of Prescription Drug Abuse, so it makes good sense that we don’t take for granted the security of our medications. http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-prescription-drug-use.html
Any households with young children should keep all medications out of reach, but that’s not enough to prevent a drug abuser who is in your home from getting their hands on your medication. Drug abusers can be very resourceful, their actions are driven by their addiction, they have learned how to feed their habit and they will steal from anyone to get their next fix. Always Lock Up medicines that can be abused in a drawer, cabinet or safe.
Do Not store medication in the bathroom. Medications must be stored in a cool, dry place. Bathrooms are the worst place to keep any medication. Bathrooms have changing temperatures and humidity levels due to bathing and showering. The privacy of a bathroom also makes it an easy place for a drug abuser to “go shopping” out of sight. A drug abuser can slip into a bathroom and steal medication in only a minute or two, in the time it takes you to check on a pie in the oven, a holiday guest can raid a bathroom medicine cabinet.
Prescription medication drug abuse is on the rise, don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution. Always keep your medications secure, cool and dry.
For more information about Prescription Medication errors click here: https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/prescription-errors/
