Prescription drugs and prescription drug abuse are driving an epidemic of overdose deaths that include the boundaries of Oakland County. Prescription drugs account for nearly 60% of all deaths from drug overdose, and pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone are involved in 3 of every 4 prescription drug overdose fatalities.

Oakland County has developed a comprehensive partnership to create a coordinated, strategic action plan for reducing prescription drug abuse and overdoses in our county. The Oakland County Prescription Drug Abuse Partnership has a strong coalition of partners who have an active interest in preventing prescription overdose deaths. Members of the partnership gathered today, April 28, 2017, at the Oakland County North Oakland Health Center for a press conference launching the latest initiative combating the opioid epidemic.

Oakland County Prescription Drug Abuse Partnership members in attendance at the 4/28/17 Press Conference.

In honor of National Prescription Take Back Day, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and the Oakland County Prescription Drug Abuse Partnership launched a new website, www.OakGov.com/PrescriptionDrugs that hosts an interactive map identifying disposal programs locations throughout the county. The website will also host educational materials about how to monitor, dispose, and secure prescription medications to prevent prescription drug abuse. Continue reading →