A Message from the Substance Abuse Action Council, a Division of Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA), and the Connecticut Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force

In 2006, 16.2 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant or sedative for non-medical purposes.*

The following tips can help reduce the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs:

If you use a medicine prescribed by your doctor:
o Follow the directions on the medicine bottle, and know how much to take and how often to take it.
o A medicine is prescribed for you and only you. Do not share drugs or give them to others.

If you have unused prescription medications:
o Safely throw away prescriptions:
o Keep the medication in its original container.
o Mix with hot water and make them less appealing by adding used coffee grounds or kitty litter.
o Place inside a container such as an empty yogurt or margarine tub and tape it shut.
o Throw out the container in the trash.

If you have children or teenagers living with you or visiting you:
o Keep your medications in a safe area where only you have access to them.
o Do a pill count. Know exactly how much medication you have, so you can tell if any is missing.
o Talk about prescription drugs. Stress that they are only safe for the person who receives the prescription from the doctor.
o For good advice on how to talk to your child/teen go to www.drugfree.org.
o Do not let a child/teen take a prescription drug that was not prescribed for them.

Other advice:
o When taking prescription medicine be careful using additional medicines (including over-the-counter) and avoid drinking alcohol. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
o In case of poisoning contact the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

*SAMHSA statistic