95th MDG launches WarningRx program Published May 26, 2009 95th Medical Operations Squadron EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Recently, the Edwards Drug Demand Reduction program and the 95th Medical Group Pharmacy Department launched a substance abuse prevention initiative aimed at increasing awareness among all active duty, retirees and dependents on the dangers and prevalence of prescription drug abuse and misuse. The Edwards' WarningRx program is an effort to increase awareness as well as reduce and prevent the abuse of prescription drugs. This program is based on a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration initiative SmartRx. Recent data published by the National Drug Intelligence Center indicates that more than 10 percent of high school seniors abuse narcotics, and in a recent Partnership for a Drug-Free America survey, 1 in 5 teens has tried, or is abusing prescription drugs. Air Force-wide, more than 33 percent of all active drug cases involve narcotics, which include prescription narcotics. Edwards is not immune to this problem either, as there have been a number of incidents involving prescription drug abuse. "As with all substance abuse, one of the best defenses against prescription drug abuse is awareness, education and vigilance," said Jon Fishman, DDR substance abuse prevention specialist. "The WarningRx program was developed specifically for the military community to address the growing threat that this type of drug abuse creates for everyone in the community, active duty, family, retirees and civilians. Creating a well-informed, better educated military community enhances the overall readiness of our Airmen." The program is designed to have a maximum awareness impact without overwhelming the patient with more lengthy paperwork to read. When patients go to the Edwards' pharmacy to pick up a prescription, they will be given a specific WarningRx card for each potentially abused or misused controlled substance. The front of each card briefly and clearly identifies the medication's classification, potential health risks associated with abuse, illegal handling and use, and drug testing facts. The back of the card provides a brief description of abuse trends and proper methods of disposing of unused prescription medication. There are also numbers listed on the card to call if the patient has questions or an emergency. Edwards personnel should be aware that it is illegal to possess or use prescribed medications without a proper prescription. It is also illegal to share prescriptions with other individuals regardless of their apparent need. If an investigation were to reveal that someone provided prescription medications to another individual, they could be charged with distribution of a controlled substance and subject to court-martial or nonjudicial punishment for active duty, or severe fines and possible jail time for civilians. This also applies to out-dated prescription medication. If taking medications without a current prescription, military members are in violation of Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 112a and guilty of wrongful use. Air Force drug testing will identify the presence of prescription narcotics and amphetamines in the system. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Airmen to ensure their prescriptions are current while taking medications or they can be charged with drug use. The only person legally allowed to consume or possess a controlled substance to whom medications are prescribed. Under Drug Enforcement Agency rules, a third party -- beyond the patient and pharmacist -- may not legally have possession of such drugs unless it is a parent or guardian of a child under 18, who is prescribed the medication. If one has unused prescription medication, either return it to the pharmacist or mix the medication with an undesirable substance, such as coffee grounds or cat litter, place in a sealed container and throw away in the trash on trash day. Flushing unused prescription medications is not recommended by Environmental Management. For more information about the WarningRx program, call Jon Fishman at 275-3395.