Ohio Governor Starting Campaign to Battle Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

Prescription drug abuse in Ohio has become nearly epidemic in recent years. Ohioans, including teenagers, are abusing prescription narcotics in rapidly growing numbers and the state government knows that they need to do something to stop it.

In an attempt to decrease the abuse, Ohio governor John Kasich is launching a campaign in conjunction with the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction. This campaign will focus on, "highlighting the stories of those who have been impacted by addictions. Gov. John Kasich's office says the campaign to be formally unveiled Tuesday will employ convenience store posters, online banner ads, select social media sites and billboards in highly affected counties."

Prescription narcotics are those often prescribed by a medical doctor for moderate to severe pain. These include medications such as Percocet, Vicodin, codeine and OxyContin. Some people abusing these medications purchase them on the streets, but others get them legitimately from their healthcare provider.

In May of 2011, the Ohio Senate passed a bill that targeted what are referred to as "pill mills." These are essentially pain management clinics that are considered to be over-prescribing to their patients. This bill will put restrictions on how much can be prescribed at a time.

This bill did result in the closure of certain "pill mills," but the prescription drug abuse problem in Ohio is just not going away. These medications are everywhere and those who want them do not seem to have to try hard to get them.

This epidemic is also taking lives. In fact, the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio is prescription drug overdose. As of February 2011 the statistics were as follows: "four accidental drug overdose deaths a day; 40 percent of the state's 1,373 overdose deaths in 2009 attributed to pain relievers; and one in four high school kids using prescription drugs without a prescription at some point."

It is impossible to say whether or not governor Kasich's campaign will be effective in reducing prescription drug abuse in Ohio. However, it is apparent that something needs to be done and no solid effort will be in vain.