Claremore Daily Progress

Health

September 1, 2012

Rogers County RX Task Force building memorial wall

Mark Friedel Staff Writer

CLAREMORE —  

Friday was International Drug Overdose Awareness Day.  
The day is dedicated to commemorating those who have died or met with permanent injury as a result of a drug overdose.  
Drug overdoses kill more Oklahomans than motor vehicle accidents, averaging two per day.
Last year Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 in the nation for prescription painkiller abuse. 
Recently three mothers were interviewed by the Rogers County RX Task Force, sharing personal stories of how each one lost a son due to prescription drug overdose.  
“The interviews were tearful but also impactful,” said Rogers County RX Task Force Preventionist Amy Graham.  “What was most impactful to us was that the mothers were aware that their child was struggling with varying degrees of addiction.”
During the interview one mother said, “as parents there were signs leading up to his death we should have caught. He was irritable, but we thought him moving out and being in his freshman year of college, it was growing pains.”  
She said his grades never slipped. He was smart and knew better.
Another mother explained she was exhausted from dealing with the addiction that she finally had had enough and told her husband she was done trying.
He had overdosed before and pulled through but this time he just did not make it, she said.
Rogers County RX Task Force, Silent Voices, is in the process of building a memorial wall to give people, like these mothers, the opportunity to honor loved ones who have fallen victim to prescription medication. 
The wall will also spread awareness about the dangers and tragedies associated with drug abuse.  
Getting the correct help early on is an important factor in reducing prescription overdose from occurring.
Treatment options include detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and community-based self-help groups.
Depending on the severity of the addiction, some rehab centers combine different treatment options to be more successful.
To get help with substance abuse problems in Rogers County call 1-800-662-HELP.
For more information about the Silent Voices Memorial Wall call (918) 256-7518 or email Amy Graham at brxesponsible.yahoo.com.
 

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