Building Assets into Halloween

From the blog, Giving Youth the Asset Edge

"Halloween offers an opportunity to move beyond candy to old fashion porch sitting and friendship building. The list of 40 Developmental Assets provide guidelines for how this year’s Halloween experience can be enjoyable for the kid in all of us and help build a caring neighborhood (asset #4). Halloween is a great opportunity for getting to know neighbors, have fun and make the holiday last a little bit longer."

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NIDA Reaches Out to Teens During "Talk About Prescriptions Month"

October is "Talk About Prescriptions Month," and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is launching a prescription drug abuse education video to promote the observance.

In the new video, NIDA scientists Cindy Miner, Ph.D., and Joni Rutter, Ph.D., explain the risks and dangers of abusing painkillers. By watching the video featured on the NIDA for Teens Web site, teens can learn about these dangers and some safety tips to keep in mind when they get a prescription from their doctors.

Every day in the United States, 2,500 American teens age 12 to 17 illegally take a prescription pain reliever for the first time. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the United States. According to a NIDA survey, more than 16 million Americans age 12 and older took a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative-just for the effect-at least once in the previous year.

In addition to the new painkillers video, NIDA offers teens other resources about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, such as the Sara Bellum Blog. For more information on prescription drug abuse, visit the NIDA Web site.

Portland collecting old meds on Thursday

Submitted by John Richardson (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD) on Wed, 10/07/2009

Old and unwanted medications will be collected for safe disposal at the Portland Expo on Thursday.

Portland officials are encouraging residents to sort through their medicine cabinets and bring in any over-the-counter or prescription drugs that are expired or no longer used by the household. Veterinary medicines also will be collected.

The event is intended to raise awareness about the risks associated with leaving expired medications in the home and the consequences of disposing of medications improperly by flushing them or throwing them in the trash.

If not properly disposed of, the medications can be used illegally or cause accidental poisoning. And, if flushed down a toilet or put in a landfill, they can eventually contaminate water supplies.

Medications should be brought in their original containers if possible. Individual privacy will be protected by removing any personal information. Labels should not be removed before drop-off, because they identify substances and drug classes.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Portland Exposition Building on Park Avenue.