Attorney General
Hector
Balderas

Warning signs of Prescription drug abuse in your loved ones-or yourself-before it’s too late to get help. The substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2014, 15 million people used prescriptions drugs for non-medical use. Some issues are that the drug user’s perception is that prescription drugs are not as dangerous as they actually are.

SYMPTOMS OF OPIOID ABUSE:

• Confusion and lack of coordination
• Lowered blood pressure
• Dry Mouth
• Weakness, dizziness, sleepiness
• Constricted pupils
• Watery or droopy eyes
• Nausea, vomiting, and constipation
• Respiratory depression (inadequate ventilation)
• Sleep deprivation or “nodding”
• Slow, slurred speech
• Slow gait
• Dry skin, itching, or skin infections
• Constant flue-like symptoms
• Bruises or “track marks” (if injecting)

The Risk Factors

Why do some people become addicted to prescription pills while others do not? Learn more about the risk factors for a developing problem. 

Behavioral Changes

Most are not able to completely hide addiction but are still likely to try to hide it. Although minor, these signals may indicate of a deeper problem.

Physical Symptoms

Most commonly used drugs broken down by the physical symptoms of abuse to help you better identify what medication they may be misusing.

The 45 Warning Signs Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Notice the signs and symptoms of abuse before it is too late.

The 45 Warning Signs Of Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Disposal Guide

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to potential accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.

You must not share your prescription drugs—they were prescribed to you!!
For more information on preventing prescription drug misuse, go to the following websites:

• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) 
• Get Smart About Drugs
• Just Think Twice
• Campus Drug Prevention 
• National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center
  • Hotline 1-800-784-6776
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

How Proper Disposal of Medicines Protects You and the Earth: 

• Prevents poisoning of children and pets
• Deters misuse by teenagers and adults
• Avoids health problems from accidentally taking the wrong medicine, too much of the same medicine, or a medicine that is too old to work well
• Keeps medicines from entering streams and rivers when poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet 

How Improper Disposal of Medicines May End Up in Our Drinking Water Sources:

In homes that use septic tanks, prescription and over-the-counter drugs flushed down the toilet can leak into the ground and seep into ground water. In cities and towns where residences are connected to wastewater treatment plants, prescription and over-the-counter drugs poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet can pass through the treatment system and enter rivers and lakes. They may flow downstream to serve as sources for community drinking water supplies. Water treatment plants are generally not equipped to routinely remove medicines. 
*According to the EPA