Wyoming Rx Abuse Stakeholders

News
Percentage of Adolescents Reporting Substance Use in 2022 Held Steady
February 3, 2023
According to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future survey use of any illicit drug within the past year remained at or significantly below pre-pandemic levels for all grades, with 11% of eighth graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use in the past year.
DEA Lab Testing Reveals 6 out of 10 Fentanyl-Laced Pills Contain a Lethal Dose of Fentanyl
December 2, 2022
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratory found that of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, 6 out of 10 contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. Find more facts, information, and ways to stay safe on the DEA, "One Pill Can Kill" website.
Events
March 20-26, 2023
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
Participate in National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) and help share facts about drugs, alcohol, and addiction in your community. NDAFW is an annual, week-long health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth.
March 24-27, 2023
American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting & Exposition
“Rise! Advancing in the Face of Adversity,” addresses the challenges from the past few years but also offer solutions on how the future of pharmacy can be positively shaped.
May 20-24, 2023
2023 Annual Meeting - American Psychiatric Association
With 600+ educational sessions, 50+ topics and 20+ paid courses, APA’s 2023 Annual Meeting is the best place to connect with colleagues, learn the latest in effective clinical practice and research advancements, and earn up to 43 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Facts
DEA collected more than 647,000 pounds of unwanted or unneeded medications during the October 2022 National Prescription Drug Take Back.
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.
The "They Didn't Know" campaign provides education on the many things teens and young adults should know about prescription drugs.
The Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center's Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Toolkit is a resource for stakeholders engaged in prevention efforts.
Get Involved
In 2008, prescription drug overdose deaths in Wyoming were at an unprecedented and dramatic all-time high. The alarming number of deaths were impacting people of all walks of life, in every corner of our state. Unlike many other “street drugs” like methamphetamine & cocaine, prescription drug abuse was destroying and taking lives. Law enforcement, health officials, and many others were trying to understand the cause and how best to combat this emerging crisis. In response, a handful of stakeholders decided it was time to bring together the best expertise possible to help address this significant public health and safety issue. Since 2008, the Wyoming Rx Abuse Stakeholders (RAS) members from across Wyoming have gathered to discuss the origin & scope of the problem, prevention measures and solutions, education strategies, and tools and resources to curb this serious problem. Today, with the assistance of many people throughout the State, the RAS task force diligently continues their effort to protect the people of Wyoming from the real dangers of prescription medication abuse and misuse.
If you would like information about the RAS or are interested in joining the task force, please click the link below to contact us.
Fact #1
On October 26, 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national emergency.
Fact #2
A person who takes a controlled prescription medication that was not prescribed for them by a medical professional can potentially be fined or put in jail.
Fact #3
Non-medical use of stimulants for cognitive enhancement poses potential health risks, including addiction, cardiovascular events, and psychosis.
They Didn't Know Education Campaign
The "They Didn't Know" campaign provides education on the many things teens and young adults should know about prescription drugs. Be in the know, and find out more about prescription and opioid abuse and misuse by following "They Didn't Know" at https://theydidntknowwyo.org/
