The Garrett County Health Department is promoting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Remove the Risk campaign as one more way to make it harder for people to misuse and abuse prescription opioids.
“If every household in Garrett County removed prescription opioids once they’re no longer medically needed for their prescribed use, it would have a major impact on reducing the grip opioids have on our communities,” said Sandy Miller, Prevention Supervisor at the Garrett County Health Department.
The Remove the Risk campaign targets women ages 35-64, who are most likely to oversee household health care decisions and often serve as the gatekeepers to opioids and other prescription medications in the home. The Health Department’s promotion of the campaign is made possible through funds from the Maryland Department of Health’s Substance Abuse Block Grant.
“It is crucial for adults to understand the important role they play in removing and properly disposing of unused prescription opioids from their homes,” said Miller. “Many people who misuse prescription opioids report getting them from a friend or family member.”
According to the 2019 Maryland Public Opinion Survey (MPOS), 82% of Garrett Countians think it is easy to get prescription opioids from a friend or family member in order to get high. On MPOS, 77% of respondents reported that prescription opioids are stored in a medicine or kitchen cabinet, in a drawer, or on a shelf. In these locations, 75% of the opioids are never locked up.
Prescription opioids are powerful, pain-reducing medicines that can help patients successfully manage pain when prescribed for the right condition and when used properly. When misused or abused, however, these drugs can cause serious harm, including addiction, overdose and death.
The “Remove the Risk” campaign includes a new toolkit of materials, available in English and Spanish, which include: television, radio and print public service announcement; fact sheets; social media graphics and posts; and website badges that can be used by individuals, health care providers and organizations.
Because teens and adults are gaining access to opioids through medicine cabinets of parents, grandparents, other relatives, and friends, education is key to promoting proper storage, monitoring, and disposing of prescription drugs.
During December, Community Planning Groups, funded through mini-grants from the health department, will be sharing the Remove the Risk message in an effort to protect our children and youth from accidental poisoning and intentional misuse of prescription pain relievers.
To get the message out, the health department will be broadcasting radio ads, and social media messages will be promoted on GarrettHealth.org, MyGarrettCounty.com, AddictionHappens.org, DrugFreeGarrettCounty.org, CopyCatFun.com, and the Health Department’s Facebook pages.
For more information about the Remove the Risk campaign or any of their prevention programs, call the Health Education and Outreach at the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.
By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department
Contact: [email protected]
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