08 LC 95
0542
House
Resolution 1502
By:
Representatives Stephens of the
164th,
Williams of the
165th,
Lane of the
158th,
and Barnard of the
166th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending Bryan County Family Connection and the Bryan County Drug Free
Coalition; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Bryan County Family Connection and the Bryan County Drug Free Coalition are
working to increase awareness of family members and friends of the dangers
associated with unsupervised use of prescription drugs and easy access to
over-the-counter drugs; and
WHEREAS,
coalition members are concerned community citizens who are interested in
expanding partnership with elected officials, pharmaceutical companies,
pharmacist, and parents to protect our youth; and
WHEREAS,
in January, 2008, the White House acknowledged the newest release of
Prescription for
Danger: A Report on the Troubling Trend of Prescription and Over-the- Counter
Drug Abuse Among the Nation's Teens,
completed by the Office of National Drug
Control Policy of the Executive Office of the President, highlighting some
alarming statistics regarding youth and charging parents and community leaders
to take an active role in prevention; and
WHEREAS,
every day, 2,500 youth from ages 12 to17 abuse a prescription pain reliever for
the very first time, and more teens abuse prescriptions drugs than any other
illicit drug, except marijuana; and
WHEREAS,
the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them easily and for free,
primarily from friends and relatives; and
WHEREAS,
the prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens are painkillers,
depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and stimulants, mainly prescribed to treat
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder;
and
WHEREAS, teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a "safe" high and because they are easily available, and teens are also abusing some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to get high, which is especially troubling considering the availability of these common products; and
WHEREAS, teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a "safe" high and because they are easily available, and teens are also abusing some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to get high, which is especially troubling considering the availability of these common products; and
WHEREAS,
many parents are not aware of teen prescription drug abuse, and they say their
parents are not discussing these dangers with them, even though research shows
that parental disapproval is a powerful deterrent; and
WHEREAS,
there has been a dramatic increase in the number of poisonings and deaths
associated with the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and some
teens use prescription and over-the-counter drugs with alcohol or other drugs,
which could lead to dangerous drug interactions and serious medical
consequences.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join together in recognizing Bryan County Family Connection and Bryan
County Drug Free Coalition and commend them for their efforts to increase
awareness of the problems of unsupervised use of prescription drugs and easy
access to over-the-counter drugs.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is hereby
authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to
Bryan County Family Connection and the Bryan County Drug Free Coalition.