Prescription drug abuse leading to heroin abuse

Yesterday, KING5 broadcast a story about a teenager who recently died from a heroin overdose. 

Dean Shumway died of a heroin overdose just before his 19th birthday. He did not fit the stereotype of a heroin addict, down on his luck and homeless--but perhaps Dean does represent what's becoming the new face of heroin addiction: white middle class teenager.

Frank Couch, a counselor with Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA), says Dean is not an isolated case.

"It's a huge problem out there. It's a huge problem with young folks and adolescents,” said Couch.

Couch says these kids used to smoke Oxycontin, but now that the prescription painkiller has been reformulated, they're turning to heroin.

"It's cheaper, it's more readily available so the trend is moving back to heroin use again," he explained.

Prescription drug abuse topic of SAMA luncheon

Today I attended the"Knowledge is Power" luncheon for the Science and Management of Addiction Foundation (SAMA) and heard Stephen Pasierb, the President and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America speak about their campaign targeting parents.

SAMA's Parent Advisory Council is focusing their efforts on preventing prescription drug abuse. They encourage three simple steps when it comes to prescription drugs: Check -- Lock -- Dispose.

SAMA newsletter

I just got SAMA's February newsletter and it contains two good articles about Prescription Drug Awareness Day and the Secure Medicine Return Bill in Olympia.