Forsyth Aims To Combat Illegal Prescription Drug Use Among Teens
Due to a growing problem with accidental overdoses among teens, authorities in Forsyth County are setting up a “drug take back box” for un-used prescription drugs.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, overdose deaths involving prescription drugs are up 15 percent since the state started to track them in 2008.
“The substance that is most frequently abused and the choice of people in the age range of 12-17 is, in fact, prescription drugs,” said Forsyth Sheriff Ted Paxton.
It’s why Paxton is encouraging Forsyth residents – particularly parents – to use a new disposal box for unwanted and outdated prescription drugs, like Xanax, OxyContin, and Vicodin.
“We have deputies and school resource officers on the campus of every hjihgschool in the county and more and more and more children are in possession o f these types of drugs and we certainly have seen a tremendous amount of overdoses,” he continued.
Paxton says the majority of teens are getting the prescriptions drugs from the medicine cabinets of family and friends.
According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 70,000 emergency room visits result from accidental drug overdoses each year among children under the age of 18.
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