TULSA, OK – [May 12, 2015] – The Tulsa Health Department-led Coalition Against Prescription and Substance Abuse of Tulsa (CAPSAT) will host ‘Take Back Tulsa: Rx Drug Abuse Prevention Forum’ on Friday, May 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at OSU Center for Health Sciences, 1111 W 17th St.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in Oklahoma, particularly Tulsa County.
“Tulsa County has the highest prescription drug overdose death rate in the state,” said Marianne Long, Tulsa Health Department’s substance abuse program manager. “This forum will bring together community leaders, law enforcement and health professionals to work together to end this preventable problem that is plaguing our community.”
Staff members from Mayor Dewey Bartlett’s office will welcome attendees to the event. Mrs. America 2015, Michelle Evans, will deliver the keynote address. Evans is a native Tulsan who has experienced firsthand the tragic result of prescription drug abuse when her brother died of an overdose. The forum will also include a panel discussion with representatives from St. John Medical Center, Palmer Continuum of Care, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
The form is free to attend but space is limited. Lunch will be served. Attendees must pre-register at tulsa-health.org/takebacktulsa.
Presenting sponsor CAPSAT brings together diverse organizations, stakeholders and individuals to advocate for changes in policies, systems and environments for the prevention of substance abuse. Additional forum sponsors include the Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, OSU Center for Health Sciences, St. John Medical Center, Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant, Tulsa County Medical Society and the Tulsa Police Department.
CAPSAT is hosting a Prescription Take-Back event on Saturday, May 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reasor’s located at 71st & Sheridan. Everyone is encouraged to empty medicine cabinets, bedside tables, and kitchen drawers of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription drugs and bring them to the event for safe disposal. This service is free and anonymous. No syringes, inhalers or liquids will be accepted.
Tulsa Health Department Substance Abuse Program
The Tulsa Health Department’s substance abuse program is funded through a Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) which supports an array of activities that build a solid foundation for delivering and sustaining effective substance abuse and/or mental health services. This program works to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse, including childhood and underage drinking, reduce substance abuse related problems in communities, and build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state, tribal and community levels. The program is funded by Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. For more information, please visit www.tulsa-health.org.
