New PSAs Target Pills

On average, 82 people die every month in Kentucky from prescription drugs. Mostly, it is because they are mixing a combination of things, such as drugs and alcohol, or too many kinds of drugs.

The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy is doing something dramatic to discourage people, and particularly teens, from getting involved with prescription drugs that were not intended for them. They have devised some commercials that really grip one’s attention for a memorable message.

One ad shows a kid operating on himself in an operating room, and says, “Every year 2 million kids play doctor by taking pills not prescribed to them.” There are a number of 30 second commercials about how parents should, and should not talk to their kids about drugs. One shows a mother with a tape recorder that says, “Don’t do drugs” over and over again which she plays while her daughter is asleep. Another has a dad asking if he should be the “cool dad” to which the teenager says to all of the parents, “none of you are cool – you are the ATM card.” Ultimately, the spots get the attention and make people realize that there is more involved in parents talking with their kids on this important subject. Most importantly, the ads tell the parents where they can go to get more information. No one is an expert on everything and so when this problem is being addressed or dealt with, experts are needed.

Van Ingram, the executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, wants everyone to know that 1000 Kentuckians died last year, and 1000 the year before, and 1000 the year before that. "One of the things we're trying to do is educate parents and educate the public."

Ingram says the message is that prescription drugs are too easy for young people to obtain. "About 60 percent of all youth that are using prescription drugs say they got it from a friend, a neighbor or a relative--not a drug dealer on the corner."

Kentucky, like all the other states, occasionally sets aside a particular time and place where everyone can bring their old medications and dispose of them. You can contact your local police station for information. It’s important to check your medicine cabinets, old purses, and drawers, because having pills around just makes it more tempting for your kids or their friends to give them a try. It seems that some are bound and determined to do what isn’t good for them.

Hopefully the new ads will make more people stop and think.