Other LanguagesOLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna will speak at two events Wednesday about the growing problem of prescription drug abuse by young people. Prescription drug overdoses are now a leading cause of accidental death for young people in Washington state, which has one of the highest rates of use in the nation.
Prescription drugs are now second on the list of drugs most abused by youth, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey, almost 10 percent of 10th graders and 12 percent of 12th graders said they used prescription pain medications to get high in the past 30 days.
On Wednesday morning, McKenna will participate in a special roundtable discussion about new efforts to mobilize families to tackle this public health threat. In the afternoon, he will give the keynote address at a law enforcement conference on prescription drug abuse.
WHAT:
Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA) Foundation’s media briefing and roundtable discussion on prescription drug abuse among young people
WHO:
Attorney General Rob McKenna
Stephen Pasierb, SAMA Foundation Founder and President of Partnership for a Drug- Free America
Dr. Robert Day, SAMA Foundation Board Chair
Caleb Banta-Green, UW Researcher
Parents of two families who have lost their children as a result of prescription drug addiction
WHEN:
March 25, 2009
9:45–10:30 a.m.
Call-in information for media: Dial toll-free (866) 740-1260 and enter access code 3281719
WHERE:
Seattle Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Cedar Room
1400 6th Ave. Seattle, WA 98101
CONTACT:
Gina Grappone, Public Affairs Director
gina.grappone@samafoundation.org
(206) 450.2766
www.samafoundation.org
WHAT:
Criminal Justice Training Center conference on prescription drug abuse
WHO:
Attorney General Rob McKenna
WHEN:
March 25, 2009
1– 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Criminal Justice Training Center
19010 1st Ave S.
Burien, WA 98148
CONTACT:
Jason Moulton
(425) 201-6336
-30-
Contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, AGO Communications Director, (360) 586-0725