Opioids & Prescription Drugs

DID YOU KNOW?

(1) Opioids are strong narcotics prescribed for pain. Because they are highly addictive, users who become dependent often turn to heroin as a cheaper source.

(2) Unfinished bottles of pills in your medicine cabinet are a risk to your family & friends. Keep your drugs locked up! Dispose of leftovers at your local dropbox or by using a Deterra bag. (You can also mix your meds with kitty litter or coffee grounds.)

(3) Medication Assisted Treatment (e.g., methadone, suboxone, Vivitrol) is the most successful method for dealing with an opioid use disorder. Treatment doesn't have to be lifelong!

(4) Benzodiazepines like Xanax, used for sleep and anxiety, are the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. and in CT. They are not intended for long-term use.

(5) In 2018, the 5 most-prescribed controlled substances in CT included 3 benzos, 1 opioid, and 1 stimulant (an ADHD drug).

Check out our 2019 regional profiles on Prescription Drugs in Southwest CT and Heroin and Illicit Opioids in Southwest CT.

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Click on images below to open and download. Scroll on for more resources.

Prevention Resources

USEFUL SUMMARIES:

The Hub's 2019 regional profiles on Prescription Drugs in Southwest CT and Heroin and Illicit Opioids in Southwest CT
Also, check out the 2019 Connecticut Epidemiological Profiles on Heroin & Fentanyl as well as on Prescription Drugs.
Download infographic prepared for CT Prevention Week 2020
What You Need to Know about Prescription Opioids: 2pp factsheet from CT's Change the Script campaign
FREE online drug education for parents from Courage to Speak
Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing Opioid Overdose

VIDEOS

"How to use" deterra bags for safe disposal of prescription drugs: 1 min. video
Denique and Giovanna discussing National Prevention Week here

RESOURCES FOR SAFE STORAGE & DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:

Flyer listing dropboxes in Southwest CT
Lock Your Meds campaign: tools, resources, and presentations for parents and youth
Printable infographic from US FDA
Remove the Risk: complete toolkit in English and Spanish with video PSAs, social media posts, factsheets and more from the US FDA
Safe Drug Disposal Guide for Communities (14 pp from Partnership for Drug-Free Kids)
Stem the Tide: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic (27 pp guide for providers and communities from the American Hospital Association