Statewide Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Task Force Formed

December 3, 2008:  Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) hosted its first Rx/OTC Task Force meeting this past Wednesday, November 12 in Jefferson City, MO. Anna McMillen of MYAA welcomed 17 professionals from around the state who gathered to discuss how to raise awareness of Rx/OTC abuse and decrease use among Missourians. Cities represented included St. James, Kansas City, Kirksville, Springfield, Jefferson City, Rolla, Imperial, St. Louis, and Independence. Kendall Bolton, Substance Abuse Counselor from Pathways Behavioral Healthcare attended the meeting in order to bring information and awareness back to Rolla and it’s surrounding communities. 

Prescription and Over-the-counter (Rx/OTC) drug abuse is a growing problem among Missouri youth. Many people do not realize that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs, and many parents have no idea that teens are abusing these products. People abuse these drugs because of misperceptions about their dangers and because they are easily accessible.

Like prescription drugs, OTC cough and cold remedies are often found at home. In many areas, teens can even buy them at supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores. But that doesn’t make them safe to use without proper supervision. Teens underestimate the dangers of abusing OTC drugs, which can cause delusions, loss of consciousness, and even death when taken in excessive amounts. And taking these drugs with alcohol can make the effects even more dangerous.

Parents can help stop abuse of these products with three steps:

1. Safeguard your prescription and OTC drugs. Monitor quantities and control access. Ask friends and family to do the same.

2. Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash.  Visit http://www.smarxtdisposal.net for info on safe medicine disposal.

3. Set clear rules for teens about all drug and alcohol use, including never taking medicine without permission and always following proper dosages. And be a good role model when it comes to taking your own medicines.

Watch for warning signs your teen is using, such as empty bottles or packages and behavior changes, such as mood swings, or changes in appetite or sleep habits.

Missouri’s Rx/OTC Task Force will continue to research, discuss, and share information throughout the coming months as they work to raise awareness of this problem. The next meeting will be held in January. Please contact Anna McMillen at MYAA if you have any questions or if you would like to get involved. amcmillen@actmissouri.org

Mental Health Grants Given to Lafayette County Agencies

5/28/08 - From the Lexington News

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) approved three mental health grants totaling $472,707 to agencies in Lafayette County at its May board meeting.

Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare received a two-year, $316,312 grant to expand adolescent mental health services in Cass and Lafayette counties.

Through two innovative programs, Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA), Pathways will be able to serve both substance abuse and mental health needs of adolescents and their families. HCF funding will support staff, trainings and other resources.

The County of Lafayette was awarded a $198,300 for a three-year grant for the S.T.O.P. Domestic Violence Court. Funding from HCF will support treatment and staff for the program for three years. Domestic violence cases will be referred by the courts to the program. At this time, members of Probation and Parole and Treatment Facilitators will provide a 26-week, nationally recognized program to hold accountable domestic violence offenders.

Counseling for the offenders, as well as the victims, will occur. The goal of the program is to cut down on recidivism and lessen the load of traditional criminal courts.

HCF also awarded a $150,200 grant to the Lexington R-V School District for the Brighter Futures Consortium, an initiative of the six public school districts of Lafayette County. The Brighter Futures Consortium will provide mental health services to students during the regular school day.

"These organizations share in our dedication to provide mental health services to those who need them most in our community,” said Mary Lou Jaramillo, Chairman of the HCF Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to award these grants to help individuals of all ages receive the information and treatment they need to overcome their mental illness and go on to lead fulfilling lives in our community.”

In total, HCV awarded nearly $8 million to 36 organizations in the HCF service area that improve access to effective mental health care. HCF received 78 grant applications totaling nearly $16 million in requests. All grant applications were reviewed by staff and outside reviewers.

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City strives to improve access and quality of health for the uninsured and underserved in Kansas City, Missouri, Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri and Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

Since it began grantmaking in 2005, HCF has awarded over $60 million to agencies addressing health needs in the community.