EDUCATION & PREVENTION
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is the #1 drug used among teens. Alcohol causes impairment to coordination, slurred speech, blurred vision, anxiety and/or confusion. 63 % of SC teens have tried alcohol and 29% are current users. On an average, the age of first use in South Carolina is 13 years old. In SC, approximately 85 youth die yearly from underage drinking. Those that use alcohol are 5x more likely to drop out of school.
MARIJUANA
Marijuana is a drug that is often referred to as weed, pot, ganja, and Mary Jane. Marijuana has hundreds of different chemicals but the most known and dangerous is THC. THC is a psychoactive component that gives the user the “high” feeling. Today’s marijuana has changed from the marijuana from the 70’s and 80’s. Marijuana is more potent today, which makes consuming it more dangerous. Besides the potency of marijuana, today’s marijuana can be consumed in my different ways.
- Short term effects: increased heart rate, hallucinations, change to mood, impaired body movement, memory problems, paranoia and anxiety.
- Long term effects: addiction, weight loss, move on to stronger drugs because marijuana is a “gateway drug”.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
DID YOU KNOW?
- According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 4 out of 5 people addicted to heroin report his/her addiction began with prescription pills. These opioid pills either came from friends, family, or personal prescriptions.
- By disposing of unwanted and expired medication, we can help prevent accidental overdoses and the start of an addiction. If you have any questions on any of your prescription medication, please feel free to contact Tanisha Bellamy at 843-365-8884 x276.
OPIOIDS
South Carolina has declared a state of emergency on OPIOIDS. Our goal is to bring awareness and understanding on how OPIOIDS impact all our lives, and as a community WE CAN make a difference!
Horry CAST Coalition has partnered with Shoreline Behavioral Health Services to promote SAFE STORAGE of your current medication and SAFE DISPOSAL of all your unwanted or expired medications.
IF YOU HAVE UNWANTED OR EXPIRED prescription medication in your home (emphasis on OPIOIDS), please dispose of them in a safe and secure prescription drop box location (click here for locations). No questions asked!
Common OPIOIDS (Pain Relievers) are: Oxycodone, Morphine, Vicodin, Percocet, Hydrocodone, Codeine, and Fentanyl.
- The CDC estimates that 72,287 people died from overdoses in 2017, an increase of about 10% from the year before
- 49,000 were caused by opioids
- In 2018, an estimated 2 million Americans suffered from addiction to prescription opioids or illegal opioids. About two thirds of deadly drug overdoses in 2016 were due to opioids.
- In 2018, in Horry County there were 109 overdose deaths
