152 law enforcement agencies at 171 sites across the state collected 28,035 pounds or 14 tons of old or expired prescription drugs, making the 14^thNational Drug Take Back Event held Saturday, October 28^th, the most successful Take Back Event to date for the state. The total number of pills collected is estimated at 28.9 million. Arkansas ranks #11 nationally in weight collected and #5 in weight collected per capita.

“The most important statistic in every year’s Take Back event is a number that we’ll never know – the number of tragedies we prevent and the lives we save by tossing out old prescription drugs at the collection sites,” Governor Asa Hutchinson noted. “I applaud Director Lane for his leadership in making our state a safer place.”

 

Director Lane thanked participants, saying, “I am proud to see this record setting number for Arkansas that will have a lasting life-saving impact on our state physically as well as environmentally. The hard work and partnerships that made this possible as well as the participation of Arkansans demonstrates that working together we can solve this issue.”

Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the U.S., exceeding vehicle fatalities by 50 percent. More than 143 people in America die each day due to a drug overdose. In Arkansas, 1,067 people have died from a drug overdose in a 3-year span (319 in 2013, 356 in 2014, and 392 in 2015). Arkansas is also in the top 20 percent of states that prescribe the most painkillers per capita. It is these facts that led to the death of Nicholas Kellar on April 14, 2017, a life cut too short by prescription drug abuse, and it is also a familiar story for too many families in the growing trend of opioid addiction leading to heroin addiction, that too often causes death.

This very successful Arkansas Drug-Take-Back day was dedicated to the memory of Nicholas “Cheezy” Alexander Kellar who was born January 7, 1994 in Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was only 23 when he died of an accidental fentanyl overdose following a long, hard battle with addiction. Nicholas was the son of Rory and Suzanne Tipton.

If you would like a PDF copy of the agenda for the Arkansas Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Summit (Nov. 9, 2017 at the Hot Springs Convention Center) please click on this link: AGDsummit_Print

Residents of Saline County dropped off more than 1,300 pounds of medications during the Saturday, Oct. 28 Arkansas Drug Take Back Day, which was called Operation Medicine Cabinet in Benton. Residents of Benton have dropped off more than 8 tons of prescription medications since the first Operation Medicine Cabinet in April of 2009.

“This event was another success from the standpoint of helping to reduce the amount of prescription drugs in our community, but we still have a lot of work to do regarding this epidemic of drug abuse,” said Captain Kevin Russell. “The President recently proclaimed that prescription drug abuse is a National Public Health Emergency and helpfully this will help to further spotlight this burgeoning issue and allow the focus of additional resources towards alleviating it.

“As always, BNPD is committed to fighting this epidemic through take back efforts and educational avenues throughout our community,” he added.

The Benton Police Department, Alexander Police Department, Bryant Police Department, Haskell Police Department and Saline County Sheriff’s Office collected a total of 1,711.6 pounds of prescription medications on Oct. 28.

• Alexander Police Department – 25 pounds
• Benton Police Department – 1,041.2 pounds
• Bryant Police Department – 300 pounds
• Haskell Police Department – 76.2 pounds
• Saline County Sheriff’s Office – 269.2 pounds

Saline County residents have continued to take part in the Operation Medicine Cabinet events, collecting a total of 16,841 pounds since 2009.

Benton Police Department Collection

OMC I: 146 pounds

OMC II: 540 pounds

OMC III: 790 pounds

OMC IV: 483 pounds

OMC V: 630 pounds

OMC VI: 718 pounds

OMC VII: 807 pounds

OMC VIII: 742 pounds

OMC IX: 250 pounds

OMC X: 1,600 pounds

OMC XI: 890 pounds

OMC XII: 1,246 pounds

OMC XIII: 1031 pounds

OMC XIV: 1,504 pounds

There were 349 drug overdose deaths in Arkansas in 2014 and that number decreased to 287 drug overdose deaths in 2015, a reduction of 18 percent. In 2016 however, the number increased by 17 percent at 335 drug overdose deaths in Arkansas. *(These charts were developed from autopsied individuals only. The data was generated from autopsy reports containing one of the following words: intox, overdose, toxicity)

Saline County had a decrease from 13 drug overdose deaths in 2014 to zero in 2015. The number of deaths due to drug overdose rose back up to 13 in 2016. The highest amount of drug overdose deaths each year in Arkansas were in Pulaski County (79 in 2014, 67 in 2015, and 77 in 2016).

Across the U.S. drug overdose deaths have hit an all-time record exceeding vehicle fatalities by 150 percent. More than 143 people in America die each day due to a drug overdose. The rate of overdose deaths involving opioids (heroin and prescription opioids – oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and other pain relievers) has increased by 200 percent since 2000.

On an average day in the U.S: more than 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispensed; 3,900 people initiate nonmedical use of prescription opioids; 580 people initiate heroin use; and 78 people died from opioid-related overdose. A large portion of people who abuse prescription opioids report that they obtained them in the homes of loved ones, including 42 percent of teenagers obtaining prescription medicines from their parent’s medicine cabinet. Also, 64 percent of teenagers (age 12-17) that have abused prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. About two-thirds of all prescription drugs (which also include stimulants such as Adderall and depressants like Ativan) illegally obtained are taken from people’s homes and not pharmacies or off the street.

The Oct. 28, 2017, Arkansas Drug Take Back Day was dedicated this year to the memory of Nicholas “Cheezy” Alexander Kellar who was born January 7, 1994 in Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was only 23 when he died of an accidental fentanyl overdose following a long, hard battle with addiction. He was the son of Rory and Suzanne Tipton.

To dispose of expired, unneeded prescription medications, there is a permanent 24-hour drop box is located in front of the Benton Police Department, located at 114 S. East Street. To find the location of permanent drop boxes in other areas, visit https://ardrugtakeback.org/search-collection-sites and type in the city or Zipcode.

Dropping off medications at a permanent drop box is the safest and most environmentally protective way to dispose of unused medication. Medicines that are flushed or poured down the drain can end up polluting our waters, impacting aquatic species, and contaminating our food and water supplies. Most medicines are not removed by wastewater treatment plants or septic systems. Scientists have found medicines in surface, ground and marine waters as well as soils and sediments in the Pacific Northwest. Even at very low levels, medicines in the environment hurt aquatic life.

Medicines are a special type of hazardous chemical which are not safe in solid waste systems and landfills. Drugs can be very toxic for people and wildlife, even in low doses. Just as we do not put used motor oil or leftover paint thinner in the trash, we should not put these extremely potent pharmaceutical chemicals into unsecure curbside trash cans.

For more information, visit ardrugtakeback.org.

Download the 2017 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Summit Agenda online here:

2017 PDS Agenda 

 

By Matt Burks, Benton Police Department media specialist

After the costumes and make up are put on, the kids will be ready to run out the door with thoughts of handfuls of candy, a few scares and lots of laughs, but don’t forget to stop to go over a few safety tips.

We always encourage children to carry a flashlight, glow stick lights or reflective tape so they are easily noticed by passing vehicles. Children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult, preferably with a group of responsible adults, and everyone should stay in well lighted areas. Teenagers unaccompanied by an adult should go together in a group at all times, have a fully charged cell phone, and pre-plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times.

We also encourage children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by a responsible adult. There are candy products on the market that look like they are made with mostly sugar and food coloring, but they have an extra ingredient – THC concentrate. These are candies that have sent numerous children in the U.S. to hospitals for treatment.

According to data from the National Poison Data System, there were 1,969 marijuana exposures among children less that 6-years-old, and the majority (75 percent) of the children were exposed through ingestion. That data was compiled between 2000 and 2013. Since that time period the production of THC candies have rapidly increased, which increases the number of products that end up in local communities, including Benton. According to the Journal Clinical Pediatrics, using the NPDS statistics, reported that, “From 2006 to 2013, children’s exposure to marijuana products rose 147.5 percent across the U.S., and in states with legal medical marijuana, that figure jumped to 610 percent.”

The Associated Press reported in January 2015 that marijuana related calls to poison control centers have spiked in Colorado and Washington since both states legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. In 2014, the Washington Poison Control Center received 246 calls of children exposed to marijuana, in increase from 158 calls the previous year. Dr. Alex Garrard, clinical managing director of the Washington Poison Center said that many of the children hospitalized for marijuana exposure can find themselves subject to blood tests or spinal taps to check for meningitis or other serious conditions.

So, what is the difference between marijuana inhaled and the THC candies? First, many of the THC candies look identical to traditional candies, and there are no federal regulations or safety testing of THC edibles. All marijuana/THC products are also illegal in Arkansas.

“In fact, some manufacturers take commonly available grocery store items and spray them with THC concentrate,” According to non-profit organization Smart Colorado. “One bite-size white truffle can contain 100mg of THC or 10 servings. Edibles have a delayed absorption rate … It can take 2-4 hours to begin to feel the effects and is considered a long-term commitment for users.” 

The risks and consequences are even more serious for young children. Because of their small size, they a have a much greater risk of severe and potentially life-threatening effects including loss of coordination, anxiety, nausea, racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, seizures, delirium, difficulty breathing, and they can even suffer a coma.

Halloween should be a fun time for children and parents, but unfortunately there could be misguided individuals attempting to trick the children with THC candies. When inspecting candies, only eat candies that are prepackaged by a major, established and trusted candy company (Examples include: Mars Inc., Willy Wonka, Hershey’s, Nestle, General Mills or Haribo). If you are not sure about the candy manufacturer, research the company via internet or call the number printed on the wrapper.

If a child is suspected of ingesting candy that has potentially been tampered with, call 911 or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Arkansas Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. To report suspicious activity, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.

Follow BNPD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benton-Police-Department/221829174560849

BY TATEVIK APRIKYAN

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. – As parents get ready to take their kids trick-or-treating for Halloween, new dangers around the opioid epidemic in Western Washington like needles on the streets and stickers laced with drugs serve as a reminder to parents to check what kids collect in their Halloween candy bags.

Brothers Jordan and Riley, who have already got a collection of candy from some early trick-or-treating are getting a head start with mom Megan Therson on checking candy for potential dangers.

Therson says her boys know they are only allowed to eat candy when they are back home and she has checked it.

“We come back home, and they dump their bags out and then we go through all of it, sort it out and I go through all the wrappers and make sure there aren’t any tears or pinholes or opened candy,” said Therson.

She says she is never found anything in all the years her boys have gone trick-or-treating, but it’s part of the world she lives in and dangers are out there and she needs to be careful as a mom to keep her boys safe.

“It’s a bummer, I don’t feel like we had to be as cautious when we were kids,” said Therson.

 

Halloween candy sales are expected to break records this year, with needles around Seattle and new dangerous trends like Halloween stickers laced with fentanyl, Pat Murakami with the South Seattle Crime Prevention says parents can’t be too cautious.

“It’s a different world,” said Murakami. She says even taking the most basic steps helps protect children from running into needles.

“You want to make sure your kids are wearing good shoes in case they do come across something like that,” said Murakami.

Other parents say staying near your kids is a must and lighting their way to stranger’s homes is always smart. “I have some LED running lights and will use glow sticks,” said one Seattle dad.

It may be a different world for Therson than when she was a kid, but for her boys who are excited about costumes, “Lego Batman,” said Therson’s son Riley, and “A cop,” said Jordan.

Therson says she would much rather spend the time looking for dangers in their candy than have them get hurt.

“Halloween is supposed to be fun for the kids, and that takes the fun out of it, but I’d rather have them be safe than get sick or injured.”

 

By Dr. Marc Siegel,Fox News

The patient seemed nervous, and though he said he had come to see me for a cough, his lungs were clear and he didn’t cough during the visit. He was more concerned about chronic back pain after a spine operation, and he requested a prescription for Percocet. When I declined and asked more about the nature of the pain — whether it radiated, if it was brought on by movement or rest — he said he had to leave to attend a meeting. I offered to refer him to a back specialist, but he said he already had one. I was concerned about the possibility of opioid addiction, but he left before I could bring it up.

 

President Trump’s plan to call the opioid crisis a national emergency next week is a good one, and not just because of the more than 30,000 deaths from opioid overdoses in 2015 alone — including 20,000 from prescription pain killers. The problem extends from avoidable deaths to crippling illness to the very nature of addiction itself.

 

The brain has its own opioid-like chemicals, called endorphins, that block pain, slow breathing and make us feel happy and calm. Manufactured opioids, on the other hand, flood the brain’s receptors with dopamine, causing euphoria. But they also suppress the production of the brain’s own opioids, leading to addiction. Before long you crave more and more opioids to bring you that euphoric feeling.

The biggest culprits in this addiction epidemic are physicians. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just a 10-day supply of opioids leads to a 20 percent chance of long-term use, and 259 million painkiller prescriptions were written in 2012 alone. That is simply unforgivable.

There are conditions, such as cancer or acute pain following a procedure or an injury, that call for opioid prescriptions. But opioids are often unnecessary or overprescribed. Almost half of opioid prescribers are primary care doctors treating a common problem like back pain, which is frequently muscular in nature and may respond better to heat, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, chiropractic or acupuncture than to opioids. Too often, primary care doctors throw opioids at a problem before it is properly diagnosed. But the more exposure to opioids, the greater the chance of addiction. If only those doctors could recognize this.

It is too easy to place all the blame on the lack of proper physician training and education, pressure from pharmaceutical salesmen and pharmacy chains filling the scripts too easily. Doctors were instructed as far back as 1996 that pain is the “fifth vital sign” that we too frequently overlook, but I believe we remain responsible for what we prescribe — no matter the pressures. The Institute of Medicine reported in 2011 that there are 100 million chronic pain sufferers in the U.S., but that is hardly an authorization for an opioid prescription.

We doctors should have policed ourselves and sought more education a long time ago. Consider the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which revealed that 75 percent of opioid misuse begins with people taking medications that were intended for others.

Opioid abuse has the feel of an infectious disease; it spreads via the medicine cabinet to someone other than the intended patient, and from there out to the street. Eighty percentof heroin users start off with prescription drugs, and the risk of addiction is particularly high when opioids are prescribed to high school students. Here again, opioid use spreads like a contagion, particularly among teens who drink alcohol.

As of 2012, 2.1 million people in the U.S., a huge number, were addicted to prescription opioids. The cure, as with any epidemic, is multifactorial. We must stamp out the problem at its source, by educating physicians in the risks and proper usage of opioids, as well as alternative treatments. While researchers pursue less addictive alternatives, the FDA is working at the same time to further limit and control what’s already on the market.

Calling the opioid epidemic a national emergency will release resources at the federal, state and local levels to help prevent, rescue and treat addicts. But even successful rehab programs have a high recidivism rate. It takes peer-to-peer support, an intervention drug like suboxone and having a reason to live to beat this disease.

Opioid addiction sends tentacles deep into the human brain that are very difficult to remove. The greatest responsibility for planting the seeds of addiction falls to the doctors who prescribe them.

Marc Siegel, M.D. is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medical Center. He has been a medical analyst and reporter for Fox News since 2008.

Thank you to everyone who visited our Arkansas Drug Take Back Booth at the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock.

Now make sure you join us for the Arkansas Drug Take Back Day. The event is this Saturday at more than a 100 locations across Arkansas.

You don’t have to give anyone a name or anything. Just hand a person working a booth (you can find locations at ardrugtakeback.org) your old, expired, unneeded prescription medications. Then think of the potential lives you are saving by that simple gesture. Do you know where people who misuse or abuse prescriptions mostly get them from? They get them from our medicine cabinets, or wherever they know meds are stored.

It may not be a bunch at once, but even just one of those meds they take from that prescription bottle can end in a tragedy. And when people burglarize homes now, they’re looking for your meds first.

There are many reasons to join us to #ReverseTheOpioidEpidemic, including that you don’t need to flush them down the drain, nor do they need to be thrown into the trash – as medicines are very harmful to the environment. The medicines collected at an Arkansas Drug Take Back location will be collected by law enforcement officers to be destroyed in an environmentally safe manner.

So we ask that you join us this Saturday. You may very well save someone’s life by doing so.

This is why this is called a nation epidemic. This is another reason we encourage you to participate in the Arkansas Drug Take Back Day. The event is this Saturday at more than a 100 locations across Arkansas.

You don’t have to give anyone a name or anything. Just hand a person working a booth (you can find locations at ardrugtakeback.org your old, expired, unneeded prescription medications. Then think of the potential lives you are saving by that simple gesture. Do you know where people who misuse or abuse prescriptions mostly get them from? They get them from our medicine cabinets, or wherever they know meds are stored.

It may not be a bunch at once, but even just one of those meds they take from that prescription bottle can end in a tragedy. And when people burglarize homes now, they’re looking for your meds first.

There are many reasons to join us to #ReverseTheOpioidEpidemic, including that you don’t need to flush them down the drain, nor do they need to be thrown into the trash – as medicines are very harmful to the environment. The medicines collected at an Arkansas Drug Take Back location will be collected by law enforcement officers to be destroyed in an environmentally safe manner.

So we ask that you join us this Saturday. You may very well save someone’s life by doing so.

 

Born addicted: The number of opioid-addicted babies is soaring

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. — As a team of nurses unwrap baby Jayden from the comfort of his swaddling cloth, he wails. His tiny feet shake. His hands clench and unclench.

His suffering is obvious. Born dependent on opiates, the month-old boy and thousands like him are the smallest victims of the opioid epidemic.

From:

https://drugfree.org/article/risk-factors-why-teens-use/

Ninety percent of addictions start in the teen years. Don’t ignore risk factors and assume your child will be okay, or simply ignore a problem because you think it’s just a passing stage of development. If something appears wrong, start taking action.

Common Risk Factors

Unfortunately, when it comes to kids and alcohol, parents can’t just gaze into a crystal ball to find out whether their kids will face problems with drinking or drug use in their teenage years. But there are biological and environmental factors you can watch out for to help you figure out if your child may be at a greater risk for addiction.

It is important to keep in mind that risk factors do not determine a child’s destiny — instead, they provide a general gauge as to the likelihood of drug or alcohol use. But it is safe to say that addressing risk factors early and paying careful attention to children at higher risk can reduce that child’s likelihood of a future problem with drugs or alcohol. Understanding risk factors is also very important when a child with more risk has already experimented with substances or has a problem.

Family History

Family history of drug or alcohol problems can place a child at increased risk for developing a problem. While there is a stronger biological risk if a child’s parents have addiction problems, he or she is still at an elevated risk if an aunt, uncle, grandparent or cousin has an addiction or is in recovery. Of course, inheriting the gene does not mean the child will automatically become dependent on alcohol — no single risk factor determines a child’s destiny.

If there is a history of a dependence or addiction in your family, you should let your child know since he or she is at a higher risk for developing a drug or alcohol problem. These conversations should take place no later than the pre-teen or early teen years. Discuss it in the same way you would if you had a disease like diabetes.

Not sure what to say? Try changing the following script to fit the needs of your situation and family:

“Your grandfather had a disease called alcoholism. It means he wasn’t able to drink alcohol, and when he did drink and wasn’t watching out for his health, it really hurt me and other people he loved. Yes, drinking is legal but some people can handle it and some people can’t. This disease can run in families so it’s something you need to watch out for — and I’m going to help you do that.”

Mental Health or Behavioral Issues

If your child has a psychiatric condition like depression, anxiety or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), he or she is at more risk for a drug or alcohol problem. Although not all teenagers with these disorders will develop a substance abuse problem, the chances are higher when they have difficulty regulating their thoughts and emotions. Therefore, parents with children with psychiatric conditions should be vigilant about the possibility of their teen using drugs or alcohol. It is also a good idea to talk with your health care providers about the connection between psychiatric conditions and substance use. Managing and treating underlying psychiatric conditions, or understanding how emotional and behavioral problems can trigger or escalate a substance use problem, is important for reducing risk and preventing co-occurring disorders.

Trauma

Children who have had a history of traumatic events (such as witnessing a car accident, experiencing a natural disaster, being a victim of physical or sexual abuse, etc.) have been shown to be more at risk for substance use problems later in life. Therefore, it is important for parents to recognize the possible impact of trauma on their child and get help for their child to address the issue.

Impulse Control Problems

Children who frequently take risks or have difficulty controlling impulses are more at risk for substance use problems. While most teens understand the dangers of taking risks, some have particular difficulty resisting impulses to engage in risky behavior — especially as teenagers.

Why Teens Use Drugs & Alcohol

It’s important to try and understand where interest in drug and alcohol use might come from. Beyond risk factors, teens have their own reasons for using drugs or alcohol. Below are some of the key factors that influence their decisions to do so.

Other People

Teenagers see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and, sometimes, trying other substances. Sometimes friends urge one another to have a drink or smoke pot, but it’s just as common for teens to start trying a substance because it’s readily available and they see all their friends enjoying it.

Popular Culture

Forty-five percent of teens agree with the statement “Movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an okay thing to do.” (PATS 2012) So be aware of the media that your son or daughter is consuming and talk to them about it.

Escape and Self-Medication

When teens are unhappy and can’t find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace. The often rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make them feel better, many can’t resist.

Boredom

Teens who can’t tolerate being alone, have trouble keeping themselves occupied or crave excitement are prime candidates for substance use. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those substances help fill the internal void they feel.

Rebellion

Alcohol is the drug of choice for the angry teenager because it frees him to behave aggressively. Methamphetamine, or meth, also encourages aggressive, violent behavior, and can be far more dangerous and potent than alcohol. Marijuana, on the other hand, often seems to reduce aggression and is more of an avoidance drug. The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves.

Instant Gratification

Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see it as a short-term shortcut to happiness.

Lack of Confidence

Many shy teenagers who lack confidence report that they’ll do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they might not otherwise. Not only do you have something in common with the other people around you, but there’s the mentality that if you do anything or say anything stupid, everyone will just think you had too many drinks or smoked too much weed.

Misinformation

Perhaps the most avoidable cause of substance use is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational substances, and they’re happy to assure her that the risks are minimal. Educate your teenagers about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of drug use.