Week after week, we report on incidents relating to a common topic that is no new problem, though the issue has changed over the years.

From car accidents to court stories, police logs to fatalities, a theme that has become all too common in everyday news is the war on drugs.

Throughout time, the drug of choice has changed, with substances ranging anywhere from opium, cocaine, marijuana, heroin and crystal meth.

An underlying problem that has perhaps always existed — but not always received as much attention — is the prescription drug problem.

Research has shown that a shocking amount of people choose prescribed medicines either to get high, or to slow down the crash they get from
other highs.

As leaders in drug task force units have discovered throughout time, while all pills serve some sort of medical purpose, many of these substances are highly addictive, and when put in the wrong hands, can cause life-altering effects.

Like any mind-altering substance, prescription pills have a number of potential negative effects. People battling prescription drug addictions are susceptible to dangerous behavior and much more likely to get into accidents, and because people develop tolerances to prescription medicines, they take more and more pills to fill their need, causing overdose.

Public safety departments all over Cass County will be hosting a drug take-back day throughout the next two weeks. People are encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in any pills they are no longer taking. Police will dispose of the medications, with no questions asked.

Drives like these are a step in the right direction, offering people a chance to rid temptation for anyone who may come into contact with the pills. Because so many addicts become addicted by taking pills they have taken from loved ones or friends, removing the substances may be the best way to lessen the problem.

We thank the public safety officers responsible for hosting and preparing these drives, and encourage everyone to consider taking advantage of them.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.