Prescription Drug Misuse

Why do we address prescription drug misuse?

Prescription drug misuse is an expanding national problem. It is a growing trend fueled by misconceptions about prescription drug safety and increasing availability. They are misused and abused more often than any other drug, except marijuana and alcohol.

If a medication is taken in a way that is different from what the doctor prescribed, it is considered an abuse of that medication.

Prescription-drug abuse includes:

Taking a medication that was prescribed for someone else.
Taking the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. This might be crushing tablets and snorting or injecting them.
Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high.

Every medicine has some risk of side effects. Doctors take this into account when prescribing medications. People who abuse these drugs may not understand the risks.

Abusing some prescription drugs can lead to addiction. Currently, four out of five new heroin users started with prescription painkillers.

Prescription Drug Disposal

You can properly dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications in the following locations. Please call ahead to confirm available hours of operation.

Note: Please DO NOT put these in the drug drop box: vitamins, supplements, shampoo, conditioner, soap, ointments, Vaseline, cream, needles, or sharps.

Albany Village Hall/Police Department: 206 N. Water St.; (608) 862-3255
Brodhead Police Department: 1004 W. Exchange St.; (608) 897-2112
New Glarus Village Hall/Police Department: 319 2nd St.; (608) 527-2145
Monroe Police Department: 1811 12th St.; (608) 329-2400
Monticello Village Hall/Police Department: 140 N. Main St.; (608) 938-4320
Green County Sheriff’s Office: 2827 6th St. Monroe; (608) 328-9400
Belleville Police Department: 61 Frederick St.; (608) 424-3129

Narcan Trainings in English & Spanish

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose—including those caused by heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids—when administered promptly. It works by quickly binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking and reversing the effects of the drug.

Naloxone is available in both nasal spray and injectable forms, making it accessible and easy to use even by non-medical individuals in emergency situations. It is widely carried by medical professionals, first responders, and increasingly by community members as part of public health efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

By increasing access to naloxone and raising awareness about its use, communities can significantly reduce the number of fatal overdoses and provide individuals a second chance to seek treatment and recovery.

Kristia Santiago, our Project Coordinator, offers free Narcan training sessions in both English and Spanish, available either in person or virtually. Upon completion of the training, participants receive a certificate of completion and one box of Narcan at no cost.

Our Strategies

Green County Prevention Partnership implements the Seven Strategies for Change to address substance use issues to youth, parents, professionals and other relevant audiences. Here’s a sample of our ongoing work.

Provide Information:
Billboard, Radio ads, Press releases, Social Media posts, Flyers, Information Booth at festivals, Community Supper, Podcast, Animated Video on the Dangers of Alcohol Consumption by Youth
Enhancing Skills:
DITEP Training, Reality Maze for 8th grade, Safe Driving event, Hidden in Plain Sight interactive presentation for parents, Health Rocks for 6th grade
Provide Support:
Substance Free Youth Activities such as Post Prom, Movie Nights, Pop Up Youth Clubs
Enhance Access, Reduce Barriers, and Improve Connections:
Wellness Fair, Virtual Options for Coalition Meetings and Childcare at Meetings, Translate Materials into Spanish
Change Consequences:
Work with Law Enforcement to Implement Alcohol Age Compliance Checks, Recognition for Retailers that Pass the Compliance Check
Change Physical Design:
Bottle lock displays at Retailers
Educate and Inform About Modifying/Changing Policies:
Establish Social and Emotional Skills Program for 6-8th Grade, Presentation to Public Safety Committee on Sugar River Environmental Scan findings

Resources

Prescription Drug Misuse Video Resources

Prescription Drug Misuse/Opioid Use Disorder

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Preventive Programs

Green County Prevention Partnership offers a variety of preventative programs and trainings covering a number of youth-related issues and intended for various audiences and demographics. Visit any of the programs listed below to learn more about its content and how to request a training for your students, group, or organization.