Representatives from a diverse group of Wyoming health and law enforcement leaders remain concerned that prescription drug abuse is Wyoming’s fastest-growing drug problem with wide-ranging consequences.
Prescription medicine abuse is the use of a prescription medication to create an altered state, to get high, or for any reasons other than those intended by a prescribing doctor.
The Rx Abuse Stakeholders group includes representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Wyoming Board of Pharmacy, the Wyoming Medical Board, the Wyoming Nursing Board, the Wyoming Department of Health, the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy and others. Since 2008 RAS members have gathered monthly to discuss the problem, prevention measures and solutions, education strategies, and tools and resources.
Dr. Wendy Braund, state health officer and WDH Public Health Division senior administrator, said deaths in Wyoming related to prescription drug overdose have risen from five deaths in 2004-05 to 116 deaths in 2012-13. “Clearly, we have a major public health concern on our hands in this state. Prescription medicines can do wonderful things when used properly, but legal doesn’t always mean safe.”
Kebin Haller, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation deputy director of operations, said investigations related to heroin and prescription controlled substances intended for pain relief have doubled in recent years. “This is a drastic increase in opiate/opioid investigations compared to the typical 5-10 percent we have seen in the past.”
Haller noted prescription drug abuse often times comes before heroin use. “I never thought I would say that we have a heroin problem in Wyoming, but we do now have a heroin problem in Wyoming. It is directly connected to the abuse of prescription controlled substances related to pain relief.”
Mary Walker, Wyoming Board of Pharmacy executive director, said there are several ways that individuals are able to get the prescription medications they then use inappropriately. “People have been known to steal medications from home medicine cabinets or they take them from grandparents and friends. We see ‘doctor shopping’ and other kinds of fraud to get unneeded prescriptions, as well as armed robberies from pharmacies.”
“People get addicted, and then they get desperate,” Walker continued.
WDH recommends people dispose of unneeded medications, especially those intended for pain relief. Secure dropboxes are available in many communities. Dropbox information can be found online atpmowyo.org. Some medications can also be donated for distribution to others who may need them. More information is available online at wyomedicationdonation.org.
The RAS has developed a website with information about prescription drug abuse, current news and events, facts and statistics, recovery resources and continuing education resources for medical providers. The RAS site can be found at www.wyrxabusestakeholders.com.
– Provided by Wyoming Department of Health