HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-027RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH, 2014 AS
PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, There were more deaths caused by drug overdoses in 2010 than traffic
accidents among people 25 to 64 years old; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, drug overdoses in the United States caused 38,329 deaths and
22,134 of those were from prescription drugs; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, an estimated 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older used an
illicit drug or abused a prescription drug in the past month; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, 1.2 million emergency department (ED) visits were related to
misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals (an increase of 98.4% since 2004); and
WHEREAS, Nonmedical use of prescription painkillers costs health insurers up to $72.5
billion annually in direct health-care costs; and
WHEREAS, Overdose deaths involving opioid pain relievers (OPR) now exceed more
deaths than heroin and cocaine combined; and
WHEREAS, As many as 70% of people who abuse prescription drugs get them from a
relative or friend instead of a doctor; and
WHEREAS, During the last seven National Prescription Drug Take Back Days, a total
of 3.4 million pounds of medication have been removed from circulation and potential diversion
by the DEA and its state, local, tribal law-enforcement and community partners. The Butte
County Board of Supervisors support April 26, 2014 as "National Prescription Drug Take Back
Day" as declared by the DEA and encourages residents to locate their local collection site and
safely dispose of their accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 National Drug Control Strategy listed four interventions to
reduce prescription drug abuse, one of which was to provide safe drug disposal by increasing
return and take -back programs. We support California acquiring a sustainably funded and well
publicized statewide medication take -back system that is much more convenient to consumers
than the current one -day events or disposal at hazardous waste facilities.
WHEREAS, The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse, the Butte -Glenn
Medical Society Alliance, the Butte -Glenn Medical Society, the Butte County Health
Collaborative and the Hospital Council of Northern California, in cooperation with Other Drugs
Services, law enforcement, community based organizations, alcohol and other drugs service
providers and civic and business leaders, coordinate Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month
activities in Butte County to engage our citizens in demonstrating their commitment to
prevention campaigns and education aimed at raising awareness about the abuse/misuse of
prescription drugs, promoting prescription drug safe storing and disposal, and using medications
only as prescribed; and
WHEREAS, families, schools, businesses, faith -based communities, law enforcement,
medical professionals, county and local governments, health care practitioners and pharmacists
of Butte County and the general public will demonstrate their commitment to the prevention of
prescription medication abuse by participating in activities intended to highlight local efforts
during the month of March; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Butte County Board of Supervisors
does hereby recognize March, 2014 as Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, and
encourages the development of a sustainable statewide medicine take -back program; and that all
citizens actively participate in prevention programs and activities; and that citizens safely store
and dispose of their medications on a continual basis. Be it also resolved that the County Board
of Supervisors encourages all community members to pledge, "Spread the Word... One Pill
Can Kill".
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte this 11 th
day of March 2014, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Wahl, Kirk, Lambert, and Chair Teeter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None -- �--
Doug Teeter, Chair
Butte County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
PAUL HAS /h* f A inistrative, Officer and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors