Forum to focus on teen prescription drug abuse
MILTON — Responding to two recent instances of teen drug overdoses, the Milton Police Department will sponsor a forum for kids and parents at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, at city council chambers, 430 E. High St.
Earlier this month, prescription drug abuse took center stage with the OxyContin overdose death of a 13-year-old Milton Township boy. A 13-year-old friend of the boy was hospitalized after also reportedly suffering an overdose.
Since the incidents, police, school and community youth advocates have been working to educate children and parents about the growing trend of prescription drug abuse among youth in Rock County.
According to a recent youth risk behavior survey of students in Rock County, almost 23 percent of high school students and about 7 percent of middle school students reported using a prescription drug such as Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin or Xanax without a doctor’s prescription.
For next week’s event, Milton police are partnering with Jeanne Erickson from “Club Today Not Tomorrow.” The Madison-based TNT focuses on youth safety initiatives and presents a weekly television show at 11 a.m. Saturdays, on Channel 14, TV-W.
Erickson is program director for TNT’s “Youth Safety First—Lock It Up Campaign” that focuses on the importance of properly securing prescription medications in homes, as well as their proper disposal.
At the event, Erickson will offer a presentation on the campaign. A question-and-answer period featuring a panel of local law enforcement and community officials will follow.
The police department also is working with Erickson and the Milton School District on a presentation for middle and high school students.
In addition, the department plans to help the Rock County Health Department with its “Prescription Drug Roundup” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 17. The Milton drop-off site will be The Gathering Place, 715 Campus St.
Other drop-off locations include the Janesville Water Utility, 123 Delavan Drive; Edgerton city garage, 315 W. High St., and the Beloit Department of Public Works, 2351 Springbrook Court.
For more information, call the Rock County Health Department at (608) 757-5441.
Mar 2, 2010 at 12:25 p.m.
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My neighbor died one year ago from an overdose on heroine. He was a good person, and his family didn't deserve to go through what they had to. I think ALL people (please disregard my previous comment) should attend this meeting. It is needed that parents AND students know what this does to people.
Mar 2, 2010 at 12:21 p.m.
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What is this little town coming to? I think everyone who thinks/knows their kids are involved with drugs should attend this. Being I am going to MHS I want to know that I am not around all of the overdosing kids!!!!!
Feb 27, 2010 at 6:04 p.m.
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And I just heard on our police scanner that a 20 year old just overdosed on Heroin, here in Milton!
Feb 26, 2010 at 1:58 p.m.
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My younger brother was a pain med abuser. It affected me when I went to Edgerton Memorial Urgent Care and the attending physician was quite rude, blaming me for being unemployed among other things, but I figured he saw my last name and decided to not be helpful. Although antibiotics for my abcessed tooth would take affect in 48 hours or so to take affect, according to this physician, he gave me a script for 1 single solitary pain pill. I've never abused pain meds, ever. So be aware that it goes beyond the actual abuser sometimes. I have to go elsewhere for decent treatment now. Why? I returned a 2nd time, same problem, and same physiciamn. He again brings up the unemployment issue then says "I'll give you a shot"... needless to say I left. Not because I didn't want a shot, but because he was basically saying that was all he was going to do for me. Go figure.
Feb 26, 2010 at 11:29 a.m.
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Hay did they ever catch the person who sold the drugs to the kid that overdosed.
Feb 26, 2010 at 6:31 a.m.
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You already did a story on this. Janesvillian gives you a good idea for another angle on the story, and there are more, let me assure you.
Feb 26, 2010 at 1:36 a.m.
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The most important factor is youth-parent communication. If that is poor the risk of drug experimentation and abuse goes up quickly.
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There is evidence that the anti-drug seminar approach is ineffective at best and negative reinforcement (gets them interested in trying) at worst, so some caution is warranted.
Feb 25, 2010 at 6:34 p.m.
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They should make this type of meeting mandatory at the beginning of EVERY school year for kids AND their parents.
I also think it would be beneficial for parents to hear from youth counselors about the peer pressure these kids are under nowadays. From TV, movies, the internet and parents that just can't be at home when the kids return from school.
It is not solely an issue of Grandma's drugs sitting on the counter next to her glucose tester. Locking up our meds will NOT get this under control. There is more to it than availability.
We need to really "listen" to our children, know their friends and pay attention! The kids with the good grades, church going and respectful can also be enticed to experiment.
Parental awareness and "BEING the parent" will get better results and address the issues these kids face everyday.
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