Ducey: Parents should make kids aware of opioid dangers
Mar 30, 2017, 4:55 AM | Updated: 9:14 am
PHOENIX — President Donald Trump announced a commission Wednesday to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said opioid addiction is a very passionate issue for him as well.
“This is something that effects all of our families, rich and poor, men and women, young and old,” Ducey said.
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.
“These are prescription drugs that are intended for intense pain,” he said. “And often times, somebody has one of these, they become addicted or they’re sold out on the black market as a party drug.”
Since his election, the Ducey has created the Arizona Substance Abuse Task Force, worked to prevent people from getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors, and getting physicians to do a better job of monitoring refills.
Still, parents need to be vigilant.
“These prescription drugs are out there, often times there in a cabinet at home, or somewhere in the neighborhood,” Ducey said.
Make your kids aware these are not fun, they’re not play things and they result in death and overdose and complete tragedy that’s all avoidable for our families, he said.