By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
MOUNT VERNON – Throughout the month of May, KnoxPages.com will publish stories about the prevalence of substance abuse in Knox County, how it affects the community, and possible solutions. Mount Vernon City Council members acknowledged the problems of drug abuse and alcohol addiction last Monday night by proclaiming May as Drug Awareness and Prevention Month. The issue as it relates to Mount Vernon and Knox County is significant:
*Knox County has a problem of prescription opiate and heroin abuse with 44 unintentional overdose deaths recorded between 2007 and 2012.
*More than 50 percent of high school students in Knox County report drinking alcohol in the past year.
*More than 50 percent of adults have a history of alcoholism or family history of problem drinking.
*Alcohol-related problems alone cost $746 per person each year in lost productivity, absenteeism, healthcare costs and crime and family related problems.
Treatment of substance abuse through various methods such as counseling, psychotherapy, supportive services and medication has been proven effective. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, behavior issues that might signal development of a behavioral disorder often present themselves two to four years before a disorder is present. Council’s proclamation acknowledges the significance of learning to recognize the signs of a substance abuse problem, implementing preventive measures and guiding those in need to appropriate treatment and recovery support services.
The Knox Substance Abuse Action Team, or KSAAT, is a coalition made up of volunteers from various sectors of the community trying to address the problem, find solutions and educate the public. Health Commissioner Julie Miller serves on KSAAT and says the group is concentrating on what can be done to get our community to learn and to respond to substance abuse issues. “There is a concerted effort in the community to recruit people to help KSAAT to get the word out, to get people involved, and to come up with some of the answers,” said Miller.
KSAAT recently organized a prescription drug drop off event at four locations in the county. Over 90 pounds of drugs were collected. Both the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the MVPD have Rx drop off boxes in their lobbies that can be utilized 24/7. Previous prescription drug roundups have been well received. Getting the expired, unused or unwanted prescriptions off the streets and out of medicine cabinets prevents the drugs from getting into the wrong hands or the water supply.
Last fall over 500 educators, parents and the public attended Operation: Street Smart presentations in Mount Vernon. Two veteran detectives from the Columbus Police Department talked about why, how and where street drugs are being hidden so that users can get to them without being caught. The eye-opening presentation prompted hundreds of attendees to sign up to receive more information from KSAAT as awareness efforts continue.
This month, KSAAT, with support from the Knox County Commissioners, is distributing yard signs with a drug awareness message in hopes of making the community more aware of substance abuse issues. A hotline number is listed to report drug activity. To receive a sign to display at your home or business send an email with name, contact number and address to info@knoxpages.com.
In our next KP story in this series, Knox County Sheriff David Shaffer shares what impact substance abuse has had on his department and at the jail.
