Jan 16, 2013 2 min read

The nonmedical use of prescription drugs contributes to nearly 40,000 deaths and almost $200 billion in health care costs annually. In Washington County alone, there were more than 50 drug related overdose deaths in 2011. Drug-induced deaths are the No. 1 cause of injury deaths in America. More Americans are dying from drug-induced deaths than from traffic fatalities. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control has labeled prescription drug abuse “an epidemic.”

It has been found that many of those 12 years and older who abused pain relievers in the past year obtained them from friends and family members for free, including from their home medicine cabinets. While youths and young adults ages 12 to 25 are the most frequent abusers, the problem affects all age groups.

The practice of doctors K. Gosai & A.J. Gandhi, Canon-McMillan School District, Canonsburg Mayor David H. Rhome, police departments in Canonsburg, North Strabane Township and Cecil Township, Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone, Assistant District Attorney Mike Lucas, the Washington County Drug & Alcohol Commission and Supervisory Special Agent Robert Hill of the Drug Enforcement Administration will hold a program at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Canon-McMillan High School to raise awareness of this epidemic that continues to spread.

The speakers will include: Hill; Vittone; Lucas; Steve Kaufman, Department of Justice; Tim Warco, Washington County coroner; Dr. Yesh Navalgund, DNA Advanced Pain Treatment Center; Cheryl Andrews, Washington Drug & Alcohol Commission; and a woman who will describe her experience as a prescription drug user.

Please call 724-483-6300 for more information.