Parents’ Drug Summit: ‘Everybody Knows Someone’
A drug summit for parents focusing on heroin and prescription medicine abuse drew more than 300 people to the Hollywood Volunteer Firehouse in the opening days of March. In St. Mary’s County, as elsewhere across America, an epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse is wreaking death and debilitating dependence.
“Everyone knows someone,” says the flyer. And beneath there is a photo of a mother and daughter with the words, “We need to talk.”
Among the local sobering facts are these: Heroin is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription medication and overdose deaths are increasing at an alarming rate. St. Mary’s Hospital admissions for treatment of prescription opioid use increased 400 percent from 2008 to 2012 and heroin admissions increased 230 percent. Nearly 70 percent of people 12 and older who abuse prescription drugs get them from a friend or relative.
Resources, help & how to get involved:
Walden Sierra: hotline: (301) 863-6661.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA) Treatment Locator & Referral; 24/7 Referral: (800) 662-4357 (-HELP)
Lock Your Meds – Be Aware. Don’t Share: www.lockyourmeds.org brings the message home.
Dispose of Unused Meds; St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office- 24/7 & Anonymous. Guidelines and info at: DEA Diversion
Education:
SMART Medicine: Healthy St. Mary’s
Parent Workshops: Dept. of Aging & Human Services (301) 475-4200 ext 1680
Get Involved: The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is an emerging community-driven coalition of public and private partners working together to address priority health issues in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The website contains information on upcoming discussions and events and opportunities to become involved in initiatives to improve the health of our community.
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Division Capt. Daniel Alioto welcomes videographer Jack Russell and another 300 folks to this month’s St. Mary’s County Drug Summit for Parents.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwEPxA870Ik]
