The Regional Prevention Center (RPC) of Johnson County is one of 10 regional prevention centers in Kansas that provides training and technical assistance, and helps communities leverage local, state and federal resources to reduce rates of substance use among youth.   All of the Regional Prevention Centers in Kansas are funded, in part, by SAMHSA’s Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Block Grant.  The Regional Prevention Center of Johnson County has been part of the Johnson County Mental Health Center since 1995.

The RPC assists individuals, families, organizations and policy makers concerned about the healthy development of young people by working together to prevent youth substance use and other problem behaviors.  RPC staff members are trained in planning, evaluation, community organization, public policy and environmental change to implement best practices in prevention. 

April 27^th-National Take Back Day

Got Drugs?  On Saturday, April 27^th The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in partnership with local law enforcement is hosting local Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.  The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing unused and unwanted medications, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse.

In recent years the United States has witnessed a dramatic increase in prescription medication abuse. This growing epidemic poses a real threat to our community’s public health and safety, especially to our youth. Prescription medications are now the second-most abused category of drugs in the United States, following marijuana (Office of National Drug Policy). According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among people age 12 or older who reported using pain relievers non-medically in the past year, 70 percent got the medication from a friend or relative (either for free, purchased, or by theft), not from a drug dealer. In 2012, 10.43% of Johnson County 12^th graders reported using prescription drugs not prescribed to them by a doctor in the past 30 days (ctcdata.org).   

Reducing accessibility to prescription medications is a simple, yet critical step towards preventing prescription medication abuse. Participating in national drug take back events is an important yet simple way to become involved in the community’s prescription drug prevention efforts.

To find a Take Back location near you, visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office also has a permanent location for unwanted medication drop off located at 125 N. Cherry street in Olathe, KS. The drop box is safe and secure and is open 24 hours a day. It is available for the public to dispose of unwanted medication year round. Check out jocosheriff.org for more information on the permanent drop box.

Together we can all make our community safer and prevent prescription medication abuse!