Campaign combats Rx drug abuse, deaths

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A startling statistic has been strategically placed on a billboard in Fort Wayne to alert citizens to the deadly consequences of prescription drug abuse.

The display will inform readers that one person dies of a prescription drug overdose every 25 minutes in the United States.

Prevention of such a statistic is the mission behind a task force chaired by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.

Zoeller announced the launching of a task force and awareness campaign on Tuesday in Allen County.

“Prescription drug overdoses and the non-prescription use of medication is an epidemic that continues to have a stronghold in our communities,” Zoeller said.

The statewide task force is made of law enforcement officials, board members of pharmaceutical companies and health officials.

Research collected by Zoeller’s office claims there are more deaths in the U.S. from prescription drug use than from heroin and cocaine combined.  Zoeller said prevention can begin in each household where people can proactively dispose of unused drugs properly.

“It’s really something that everybody at home can help us with,” Zoeller said.

Lamar Outdoor Advertising donated billboard space for the public awareness project.  Messages will appear in Allen, Jackson, Marion, Monroe and Scott counties.  In Fort Wayne, the billboard will be placed along U.S. 30/24.