It’s not just an urban problem. It’s becoming a larger rural problem every day. That is the abuse of prescription drugs, mostly opioids, by our citizens. This is not just a problem of young people doing it for a rush, it is increasingly a problem amongst adults of every age, including middle-aged and the elderly. It is an easy trap to fall into and it can take a long time to kick a habit, especially if you do not realize you have one.
Therefore the American Farm Bureau and the National Farmers Union are again teaming up to remind you to take the first step in stopping prescription drug or opioid abuse; by removing the pills from your home. Whether they are a prescription that you no longer need, or they belong to someone else who may have passed on; they represent a temptation that needs to be taken care of.
Jessica Cabrera is the American Farm Bureau Federation Director of Member Engagement talks about how you can take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is coming up tomorrow, October 28th.
Cabrera talks about the increasing rate of opioid use in rural America.
Every year the AFBF and the NFU collaborate to increase awareness of this increasing problem. It affects more than 50% of our population.
Check your local listings for where you can safely and legally dispose of unused prescription drugs and opioids. It is illegal to throw them away or to simply flush them into the water system. They need to be destroyed by legal means.
Again, find out more at farmstateofmind.org.
