Eagle Ridge Institute- C.A.Rx.E- Coalition Against Rx drug Epidemic!

In December of last year, a group of concerned citizens came together to consider how they could pool their efforts in combatting the prescription drug overdose epidemic in Oklahoma. After meeting for a few weeks, they decided on a name: The Coalition Against Rx drug Epidemic (C.A.Rx.E). Their members represent a variety of agencies, including Eagle Ridge Institute, the Oklahoma Department of Health, CASA of Oklahoma County, Teen Recovery Solutions, the Oklahoma Poison and Drug Information Center, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The mission of C.A.Rx.E is to reduce the number or prescription drug overdoses by reducing the social access and availability of dangerous prescribed medications. In 2013, over 50% of non- medical users reported obtaining their drugs from friends and family members. C.A.Rx.E is striving to educate the community concerning proper drug storage and disposal of unused prescription drugs. C.A.Rx.E is hosting a Fed-Up rally on August 31st, 2015 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. C.A.Rx.E with Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics will be hosting a RX take-back event at the rally were people are being encouraged to bring their unused or expired medications for safe disposal. Syringes, liquids, and inhalers cannot be accepted. A list of disposal sites for unused drugs can be accessed at takeaprescibed.org for those who can’t attend.

Prescription Drug Abuse is Oklahoma's fastest growing drug problem. Every week, 13 people die from an unintentional poisoning. About 80% of deaths involve one prescription drug and 90% of those deaths involve prescription painkillers. More unintentional poisoning deaths involved hydrocodone or oxycodone than alcohol and all illicit drugs combined. As Oklahomans, we must take ACTION to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Source *Oklahoma State Health Department