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Most people do not enter into marriage thinking that they will get divorced. The same is true for addiction. When you have your first drink, your first smoke or your first pill the thought of spiraling into a lifetime of addiction rarely, if even, crosses your mind. But research shows us that the earlier you start drinking or drugging the easier it is to become addicted (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). This is true for many different reasons but primarily because of brain chemistry. There is a misconception about addiction among the non-addicted population and that is, “They are making the choice to drink or drug.” This is simply not true. The choice ended after they picked up the first drink or popped the first pill. By the time the addict is addicted it is no longer their choice. They are consumed by powerful brain chemicals which a non-addicted person cannot fully understand. This should not be used as an excuse to keep using but as a tool for understanding the addiction process. Decreasing accessibility to alcohol or other drugs is a pivotal component to helping people reduce or restrict their use. According to the 2009 Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) Youth Survey 17% of 10th graders in Cortland County used prescription pain relievers without a doctor’s order. The CACTC Prescription Medication Task Force has implemented an effective tool for dealing with prescription drug abuse in our county by hosting a Medication Collection event. This event is a unique collaboration between Seven Valleys Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department, Walgreens, Family Health Network, Cortland County Area Agency on Aging, Seven Valleys Health Coalition, City of Cortland Wastewater Treatment Facility & Water Department, Cortlandville Fire Department, City of Cortland Youth Bureau, Pete Alteri—Town of Cortlandville, Family Counseling Services, and the Cortland Regional Training Center. Each of these agencies has a vested interest in reducing the accessibility to prescription and over-the-counter medications in an effort to decrease the potential for abuse. The Office of National Drug Control Policy recommends taking advantage of community medication collection events to dispose of your expired, unused and unwanted medications. It is no longer advisable to flush these items or throw them in the garbage. According to an article in the 2006 edition of The Harvard Heart Letter, “Scientists are finding everything from aspirin to Zoloft in our streams, rivers and lakes.” This is one of the reasons this Medication Collection event was embraced by so many partners. This impact affects ALL individuals. If you have controlled substances, pills, powders, epi-pens, inhalers, over-the-counter medications, or pet medications you can bring them to the free, secure collection event on May 1st. The site will NOT be collecting: mercury products, sharps, or other household hazards. WHAT: Medication Collection EventWHEN: Saturday May 1st from 9am-1pmWHERE: Parking lot of the Cortlandville Fire Department For additional information contact Kimberly McRae Friedman at 7VCASA, 756-8970 ext. 1 or
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. Kimberly McRae Friedman is the Associate Director of 7VCASA and an Advisory member of CACTC.
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