The 6th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. We’ve blogged in the past about …
Category Archive: Prescription Drugs
Jun
25
Crime Rates Up in Maine Due Largely to Prescription Drug Abuse
Though Maine is one of the safest places to live in the US, its crime rate rose by more than 5% in 2011, the largest increase in 36 years. This jump, which also occurred the year before, is in contrast to the rest of the nation. According to the FBI, violent crime dropped 4% and …
Nov
21
Gender Differences in Prescribing Medication for Mental Health
A new report from Medco Health Solutions, a pharmacy benefit manager, illustrates the gender differences that exist when it comes to prescribing medications for mental health conditions. The report compares the utilization of antidepressants, antipsychotics, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs and anti-anxiety treatments from 2001 to 2010 amongst 2.5 million insured Americans. The analysis showed …
Nov
15
Another Growing Epidemic: Newborns Addicted to Painkillers
USA Today is reporting that the number of babies born addicted to prescription drug painkillers is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified America’s fast-growing problem of prescription drug abuse an epidemic. This problem is also affecting our newborn babies, as women abuse powerful narcotics, such as OxyContin and …
Nov
09
Maine Tops States for Unwanted Prescription Drug Collection
Mainers turned in more than 7 tons of unwanted prescriptions drugs during National Drug Take Back Day on October 29th. 14,140 pounds to be exact. According to the Bangor Police Department, that is more unwanted drugs per capita than any other state during the Drug Enforcement Administration-sponsored national event. Good news considering all the talk …
Oct
27
National Drug Take Back Day Scheduled for 10.29.11
The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has organized a National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. The day provides a place for people to safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. The DEA has held other take back days in the past with local law enforcement agencies …
Oct
17
Painkiller Addiction in Maine, a Series from the Portland Press Herald
Painkiller addiction has hit the state of Maine hard. Ten years ago, the issue was deemed “the greatest criminal problem and possibly the greatest social problem facing Maine.” Today, Maine doesn’t seem to be in any better place when it comes to the addiction and abuse of prescription painkiller medication. The cost of this addiction …
Jan
15
Managing the Emotional Aspect of Pain
A recent article found on CNN.com talked about how living with chronic pain can hurt personal relationships. Michael E. Geisser, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, states in the article, “It has been shown that relationships in which one partner has chronic pain tend to be more strained, have …
Aug
17
Women's problems with addiction different from men's | Portland Press Herald
Polly Haight Frawley, Crossroads for Women’s chief of operations, wrote an article for the Portland Press Herald’s Maine Voices editorial section in response to a quote in a past article about the Diane Schuler tragedy. As the title suggests, it addresses the differences between men and women when it comes to addiction. It was published …
Aug
14
3 Things to Take Away from the Tragedies of Schuler, Jackson and Mays
There has been a lot of media coverage lately around the tragic deaths of Long Island mom Diane Schuler, pop star Michael Jackson and pitchman Billy Mays. All of the stories include allegations of alcohol and / or drug abuse or misuse. All include real people whose lives were taken too soon. And all of …










