Prescription drug abuse seems like a far-off problem, but the harsh reality is that it is happening here in the Grand Traverse area. And it’s not occurring in some back alley. The problem exists in our own homes. Four out of five teenagers who abused prescription drugs say they got them from a friend or relative. More often than not, this occurs unknowingly.

Here in the Grand Traverse region, organizations like Up North Prevention are leading the fight against prescription drug abuse. Up North Prevention is an initiative developed under the umbrella of Catholic Human Services. Their goal is to develop a unified approach to substance abuse prevention across northern lower Michigan.

Kristen Wilson is a certified prevention specialist at Up North Prevention, representing Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Kalkaska counties. Wilson meets with area church groups, teachers, college classes and others to discuss issues related to prescription drug abuse.

For Wilson, a vital part of her job is educating area youth. “Youth coalition work is my true passion,” says Wilson. “Prescription drug awareness begins with kids.” She explains that the youth are more likely to listen to one another when discussing drug abuse. It is important that we give them the tools and guidance to handle these issues among their peers.

Up North Prevention also performs grassroots outreach to drive community involvement in the fight against substance abuse. They host conferences that feature speakers and educators to discuss pain management and prescription drug addiction with local medical professionals.

Prescription drug prevention doesn’t begin and end with Up North Prevention. Here are some basic tips you can follow to prevent this from happening in your home:

  • Monitor your prescriptions. Know what you have been prescribed, why you were prescribed it and how the drug works. Keep track of what each pill looks like, how many refills you have and when they expire.
  • Secure your medications. Lock your medications in a place only you or your caregiver know. Keep your medications with you if you are having work done on your house.
  • Dispose of your unused, expired or unwanted medications properly. Don’t flush any medications even if it says you can on the label. You can take these medications, including controlled narcotics, to your local law enforcement agency for disposal.

With the guidance of organizations like Up North Prevention, we are better equipped to fight prescription drug abuse in our communities.