DEA and You – Ending the Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse Together

DEA and You – Ending the Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse Together

By Michele M. Leonhart | October 25, 2013 | Leave a comment| Filed in Government & Prescription DrugsWhile the abuse of controlled prescription drugs has been happening since prescriptions were first written, the recent surge in controlled prescription drug abuse is both alarming and dangerous.It is alarming because increased abuse impacts so many people. The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released just last month, shows that approximately 6,700 Americans are using psychotherapeutic drugs non-medically for the first time each day.It is dangerous because prescription drugs, while they have an important role when used correctly and under a doctor’s supervision, can be just as dangerous as methamphetamine, Ecstasy, or heroin if used incorrectly. In 2010, of the 38,329 drug overdose deaths in the United States, 22,134 – 60 percent – were related to prescription drugs. Of those, 75 percent involved prescription painkillers.Whether I look at these facts as a grandmother or as a cop, the conclusion is the same: we must stop this cycle of addiction and death. Doing so will make a difference in the quality of life in every American community.The Drug Enforcement Administration is dedicated not just to the enforcement of federal drug laws, but to the regulation of access to dangerous substances. We ensure that manufacturers, distributors, doctors and pharmacists are properly licensed and have sufficient controls in place to minimize the risk of diversion of dangerous controlled prescription drugs. And while there are a few bad apples, a vast majority of those we regulate share our common objective of ensuring the right medicine goes to the right people, while ensuring these drugs are produced, stored and distributed in a controlled manner to minimize the chance that they will be abused.Finally, after controlled prescription drugs have served their legitimate purpose, often there remains unused, unwanted, or expired drugs that still hold the potential for misuse. DEA is in the process of finalizing regulations as part of the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act that will allow for a permanent nationwide solution to the disposal of controlled substances.Until that process is completed, the DEA will sponsor our National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day events that many of you have supported. All told, the last six Take-Back Days have collected more than 1,400 tons of pills, including a record breaking 371 tons this past April alone.The next National Prescription Take-Back Day is tomorrow, Saturday, October 26 at more than 5,000locations around the country. Your participation along with that of your friends, neighbors and community leaders will be critical, as it always is, to the success of this campaign that takes tons of drugs out of harm’s way and ensures their safe and secure disposal.I appreciate all you do to help us keep our country safe and drug free, and thank you for being our partner in this important cause.Michele M. LeonhartAdministrator, Drug Enforcement Administration

Recovery Walk 2013 Huge Success

Like us on Facebook                                www.recoverywalks.org                  Follow us on TwitterTHANK YOU for Your Support,Participation and Celebration!              What a joy it brought to our hearts to see more than 20,000 supporters of recovery together at Penn's Landing in Philadelphia on September 21st.  We all contributed greatly to chipping away at that nasty word STIGMA. Everyone walked boldly and proudly, some carrying signs to let everyone know the number of hours, weeks, months, years or decades of recovery they had achieved, and others held banners to commemorate loved ones lost to the disease of addiction. We walked through the most historic and most visited areas of Philadelphia happily showing the public that there is hope for those suffering with the disease of addiction. There is recovery.And it is happening now.           In keeping with SAMHSA's theme for Recovery Month this year, PRO-ACT believes there are multiple pathways to recovery. None of them is wrong. Whatever recovery pathway works for us and puts smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts is the correct pathway for us. These young men are with The Haven at College, the first college-level sober residence just opened in Philadelphia.Honor Guard         As the sun rose high over the river, 159 Honor Guard members collected their purple ribbons and buttons and wrote their number of years in recovery on them. People with 10 or more years in recovery participate as Honor Guard members and lead the Walk. This year they ranged from 10 to 43 years, two people having more than 40 years. And atotal of 2,648 years of recovery guided the Walk through the Old City and back.          The Phillie Phanatic and the Mummers added some color, amusement, and fun music as everyone, including those in wheelchairs, family dogs, and babies in strollers enjoyed the day. And after returning back to Penn's Landing, several mascots taught the younger children how to do some line dancing.  Stage Program               Among the officials participating in the post-Walk Program was Benjamin B. Tucker from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Mr. Tucker is shown here presenting a Proclamation from the White House to Beverly Haberle, Program Director of PRO-ACT.         During the Program, PRO-ACT recognized several legislators and others whose work has directly or indirectly supported the recovery community through support for Medicaid expansion, restoration of General Assistance and prevention of predatory Pay Day Lending legislation.         Also making a presentation was Dr. Arthur Evans, Director of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Presenting Sponsor of the Walk.Dr. Evans is shown here along the walk route leading his team.          And there was plenty of entertainment to the delight of everyone. PRO-ACT thanks the DL & the Zone Band for playing throughout the morning as well as for the Recovery Idol Competition. The two finalists of the Competition, Mark Dixon and Ronald Davis, both performed following which Mark Dixon was announced as the winner of Recovery Idol 2013.        We cannot close without giving a shout-out to the SEAMAAC Hip Hop Heritage Dancers who performed on stage and made many of us feel we need to do more stretching and limbering up but even then might not be able to match their talents and skills.Teams         Right up to the end, there was tight competition among the teams for the two prizes for Team Captains. The prize for the team that raised the most in donations went to Team Captain Christina Reice, whose team 12 Step Fighters raised $2,445 for PRO-ACT. Christina will receive the Phillies Packet, which includes her throwing out the first pitch next year at Recovery Night at the Baseball Game. Here's a photo of Jackie Ferrer preparing to throw out the first ball this year because her team won this prize last year.         A $100 gift card was given to the Team Captain of NJ Buses, Rob Lightfoot from the New Jersey Prevention Network for having the largest team of 468 members. To all of our Sponsors, we say a huge thank you.Without them, this Walk truly could not have happened.Please support them.Major sponsors appear below but to see the complete list of Walk sponsors, click here 

Addicts Mom911

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change theworld.” ― Nelson Mandela The Addict's Mom is dedicated to educating mothers andfamilies of addicts..An "Educated Addict's Mom is an Empowered Addict's Mom."We are so proud to present our new show Addict's Mom 911 Has your life been touched by addiction?Are you willing to take 45 minutes to become educated?If so go to http://addictsmom911.podomatic.com/follow and like our page. You will be notified when newinterviews come out.Would you be a good candidate to interview? Message us!Why else should you "LIKE" and "Follow"ournew show? It is NOT out of some self-centered gratification to get themost likes on Podomatic. It is NOT out of greed it is NOT because, we wantsomething from YOU. By liking our page you will become educated, by sharing ourpage there is a greater chance another mom will discover our group who may notknow we are here yet. She will see she is not alone, and she will receive help,hugs, and hope. She will receive resources, recovery, and resolve. By likingand sharing our page you help spread awareness of the epidemic of addiction inthis nation. An epidemic that has touched 23.5 million Americans. Hugs,BarbaraVisit The Addict's Mom at:http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network To control which emails you receive on The Addict's Mom,click here

"Parents: You Matter"

"Parents: You Matter" Follow-Up Survey  Dear Joseph,  You are receiving this email because, in the past several months, you attended a Parents360 - "Parents: You Matter" presentation delivered by your local law enforcement, treatment and prevention professionals.We are always looking for ways to improve the program and would like to learn more about your experience and thoughts about the presentation you attended.The link below will bring you to a brief survey that should take no longer than five minutes to complete.We would greatly appreciate your help and participation. Please click this link or cut and paste it into your browser:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FollowUpParentsYouMatter Thank you for completing the survey and again for attending the Parents360 presentation. Best Regards,The Partnership at Drugfree.org's PACT360/Community Education Team If you have questions, please contact us atpact360@drugfree.org. You are receiving this email because you attended one of our community presentations.You may unsubscribe below if you no longer wish to receive email about the Parents360 Program.

The Recovery lanaguage

Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                              Follow us on TwitterPlease scroll down to see AA's letter on Anonymity"OUR STORIES HAVE POWER" A free training for people in recovery from addiction, family membersand supporters of recovery, designed to reduce stigmaby learning the language of recovery    Join thousands of advocateswho have taken this training across the country!      Wednesday, December 11, 20136:00 pm - 8:30 pm (light refreshments included)  PRO-ACT/The Council of Southeast PABailiwick Office Campus Unit 12252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-345-6644  Registration RequiredTo register for this free training, please callFred Martin at 215-923-1661or email him by clicking here  Letter from AA on "Anonymity"  The following is excerpted from a letter from the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York to General Services Conference Delegates. The subject is "Anonymity and A.A."  "We have received inquiries from A.A. members regarding a documentary on anonymity being screened in many communities. In keeping with our Tenth Tradition, Alcoholics Anonymous expresses no opinion on books, films, television shows or other media generated or distributed by other organizations. We find it best to simply provide clear and consistent information about our organization and our principles, in order to help the general public and our friends in the media best understand what A.A. is and is not.  Below are a few questions we have received, along with our shared experiences that is available in our literature on these topics. We hope this information from your General Service Office is helpful to any local discussions on this topic.  Q.   Why is anonymity important in A.A.?A.   In Alcoholics Anonymous, our Traditions urge members to maintain anonymity regarding their membership in A.A. for three reasons, as described in our wallet card "What Does Anonymity Mean to A.A.?"     1. We have learned from our own experience that the active alcoholic will shun any source of help which might reveal his or her identity.     2. Past events indicate that those alcoholics who seek public recognition as A.A. members may drink again.     3. Public attention and publicity for individual A.A. members would invite self-serving competition and conflict over differing personal views.  Q. Is it an anonymity break to tell people I am a sober alcoholic?A. On page 11 of our pamphlet "Understanding Anonymity" the following suggestion can be found:        "A.A. members may disclose their identity and speak as recovered alcoholics, giving radio, TV and Internet interviews, without violating the Traditions -- so long as their A.A. membership is not revealed."  Q. Is it okay for A.A. members to be involved in lobbying for new legislation?A. As an organization,Alcoholics Anonymous would not be involved in such efforts. . . .  Q. Is it okay for an A.A. member as an individual citizen to be involved in such efforts?A. As stated above, so long as membership in A.A. is not disclosed, recovering alcoholics may speak of their recovery and sobriety without breaking their anonymity. . . ."  Click here to view the entire letter.

NAADAC & New Jersey Development Committee are proud to introduce:

REALITIES IN RECOVERY

NAADAC & New Jersey Development Committee are proud to introduce: 

Dr. Carlo DiClemente &Cynthia Moreno Tuohy

to Morris Plains, NJ on December 6th, 2013! Dr. Carlo DiClemente is conducing his training titled “Client Collaboration and Integrated Care” which discusses the reality of complicating problems, provide a client centered, process of change perspective, and offer ideas about how to create collaborative, ntegrated care.Cynthia Moreno Tuohy is conducting her training titled “Conflict Resolution in Recovery” which is skilled-based and focused on the brain; how the brain works in conflict and strategies to affect the quality of recovery in relationships. 

Join us in December and continue to  serve all in recovery!

 

 Register Here!

 

When:

December 6th

9 am—4 pm

Where:

Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital

59 Koch Ave

Morris Plains, NJ 07950

PARKING:Attendees to use parking lots across from the hospital and check-in at the Front Desk in the Main Lobby. 

COST:

Member—$15.00

Non-Member—$100.00

Lunch (optional) —Free

 

Register Here!