Prescription drug misuse is 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.
Better Brodhead raises awareness about prescription drugs. Posters and banners have been put up around town, and information was available at parent-teacher conferences.
What is considered prescription-drug abuse?
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.
You can properly dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications in the following locations. 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. Hours may vary; please call (608) 862-3255
Brodhead Police Department
1004 W. Exchange St. Hours may vary; please call (608) 897-2112
New Glarus Village Hall/Police Department
319 2nd St. Open M-F 7:30 am-4 pm. You can contact them at (608) 527-2145
Monroe Police Department
1811 12th St. Open 24/7. You can contact them at (608) 329-2400
Monticello Village Hall/Police Department
140 N. Main St. Open M-F 7:30 am-4:30 pm. You can contact them at (608) 938-4320
Green County Sheriff’s Office
2827 6th St. Monroe. Open 24/7. You can contact them at (608) 328-9400