Awareness efforts during ‘Wake up to Medicine Abuse Week’

September 26, 2012

Photo submitted "Wake Up to Medicine Abuse Week" runs from Sept. 23 to Sept. 29. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc. in Elk County is working to increase awareness of prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse and abuse.

ST. MARYS – Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc. is working to bring more attention to the problem of prescription drug abuse during “Wake Up to Medicine Abuse Week,” running from Sept. 23 to Sept. 29.
Jennifer Young, prevention supervisor with Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc., in Elk County, said the goal of this initiative is to increase awareness of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse and misuse, which has risen dramatically in the last few years.
“It is important to understand the risks and consequences involved when medications are misused,” Young said. “There are more accidental deaths caused by unintentional drug poisoning than car accidents in the United States. This is an alarming statistic.”