“We really don’t want any additional drugs to get into the community,” Roberts said. “We have enough locally that we’re fighting against. I’m glad (law enforcement) is looking out for that sort of thing.”
Roberts said Muskogee County ranks sixth in the state for most prescription (opiate) indicators (treatment, deaths, etc.) by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Roberts said the county’s rate of deaths related to painkiller abuse is slightly higher (13.5 per 100,000 people) than the state rate (13 per 100,000.)
“Some people continue to incorrectly believe that prescription drugs are less dangerous than illegal street drugs,” Roberts said. “We are starting to see a shift in the thinking of community members in that they see prescription abuse as a serious problem.”
Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth@muskogeephoenix.com.
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