STOP Prescription Drug Abuse in the Flathead Coalition 312 North Mendian Kalspel (406) 76 5883 uda Rancher Pwerton Specialst . Indracher Nooret Agency Members The streets aren't the only place kids find drugs. Columbia Falls High School Rathead CARE Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic Kalispell Police Department Flathead City County Sometimes they find them right at home. Health Dept areWho's in your medicine Kalspell Regional Health Care cabinet? Spectrum Reach TEEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE/MISUSE continues to be a major health concern Every day, nationwide, 2,500 teenagers begin abusing prescription drugs to get high. Each year prescription drug abuse contributes to the death of more than 300 Montanans, and Montana teens have the third highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the nation, Teens are accessing these drugs most frequently from home medicine cabinets or from a friend or family member. So, what can parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, community members, educators, business owners, and community leaders do to help our Flathead County Youth from misusing and abusing prescription drugs? 1.SAFEGUARD your prescription medicine by keeping it in a locked and secure place in your home. Teens abuse prescription drugs because they are easily accessible. 2. DISPOSE of your expired or unused prescription drugs. You can easily dispose of them at one of the following Flathead County prescription drug drop boxes: Flathead County Sheniffs Office Lobby-800 Main Street, Kalispell Whitefish Police Department Lobby, 275 Flathead Ave., Whitefish Columbia Fails Police Department Lobby, 130 6h St. West Columbia Falls 3.Obtain a prescripbon medication disposal bag from any of the following agencies Flathead City County Health Department Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinio . Kalispell Police Department Whitefish Police Department . Or a School Resource Officer from Flathead High School, Glacier High School, Kalispel Middie School, Columbia Falls High School or Whitefish High School These disposal bags will allow you to dispose of your unused proscription medication by deactivating when mixed with warm water in the dsposal bag, and then disposing of the bag in your household trash The risks of your teens misusing and abusing prescription drugs are both immediate and long term. Immediate concems include overdosing (especially on prescription pain relievers, which can be fatal.) In the long term, prescription opioid (pain relievers) are potentialy addictive and can lead to a lifelong pattern of dependency. Additionally, teen misuse and abuse of prescription drugs can adversely affect youth brain development, and can lead to serious problems for your teen such as impaired driving accidents, criminal mischief, and truancy, to name just a few. Let's all work together to protect Flathead County youth from prescription drug abuse and the tragic consequences it can cause. Our coalition urges you to be as vigilant in protecting your teen as you were when they were much younger. econtact Linda Ravicher, Prevention Specialist, Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic for more information about this nationwide epidemic, and signs and symptoms of substance abuse. 406-756-5653