1. Securing Prescription Medications
Presentation transcription available in the note section of each slide.
Presented by: [Name of Organization]
January 2017

2. Objectives Overview of the current opioid epidemic
Explain the role of realtors in helping to secure prescription medications during open house visits
Provide safe storage methods for prescription medications
The objectives of this presentation is outlined in this slide
We will begin by providing an overview of the current opioid epidemic, and then go on to discuss the role realtors can play to help combat this crisis. Finally, we will be introducing a few options for homeowners as well as the general community to keep their prescriptions away from the wrong hands.

3. Here we have included just a few news headlines about recent cases of prescription medication theft that had occurred.
As you can see, even though this may not be a well known issue for many people, it is on the rise of becoming a major concern,
and your role as a realtor is to help raise awareness of this issue among your clients with the hope to help reduce drug diversion through open houses.

4. The War on Drugs
Drug overdose death has became the leading cause of injury death in the US (incidence higher than deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents)
55,403 lethal drug overdoses reported in 2015, of which 20,101 were related to overdose due to prescription pain relievers, and 12,990 were related to heroin overdose
In 2015, 3.8 million (1.4%) people 12 years or older were misusing pain relievers
4 in 5 new heroin users started by abusing prescription pain relievers
As we have repeatedly mentioned before, the US is currently facing an opioid epidemic despite the endless efforts being put in to try to control this crisis.
Drug overdose death has became the leading cause of injury death in the US.
According to the
In 2015 alone, 55,403 people died from drug overdoses, and more than half of them were related to opioid overdoses, including both prescription pain medications and heroin
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which is an agency within the US department of Health and human services established to focus on the behavioral health of the nation, conducts an annual report called National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and in 2015, they found that 3.8 million, or 1.4% of people over 12 years of age were currently misusing pain relievers.
And if you are wondering what the significance of this number is, consider the fact that approximately 4 out of 5 new heroin users started by abusing prescription pain relievers.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death on CDC WONDER Online Database, released December, Available at:
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Online Database, released September, Available at:
3. Jones CM. Heroin use and heroin use risk behaviors among nonmedical users of prescription opioid pain relievers - United States, and Drug Alcohol Depend Sep 1;132(1-2): doi: /j.drugalcdep Epub 2013 Feb 12.

5. New Jersey Specific Statistics
128,000 people addicted to opioids or heroin in 2015
32,529 substance abuse treatment admissions related to opioids in 2015
27,621 cases related to heroin abuse
4,908 cases related to abuse of other opioids
Ocean, Essex, and Monmouth are the three counties with the highest number of reported cases
Department of Human Services. New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Substance Abuse Overview Trenton, New Jersey. June 2016.

6. What is An Opioid
Class of drug including both prescription pain relievers and illicit drugs
Can cause both physical and psychological dependence
Examples:
Prescription pain relievers
Codeine
Oxycodone & combination products
Morphine
Fentanyl
Oxymorphone
Tramadol
Hydrocodone & combination products
Illicit drugs
Heroin
Hydromorphone
Opioids are a class of drug which includes both prescription pain relievers, and illicit drugs.
They are especially dangerous because they can cause both physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence is manifested as withdrawal syndrome, meaning that your body will experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, and seizures. On the other hand, psychological dependence is manifested as cravings for opioids, which is probably the more commonly known manifestation of addiction.
Some examples of opioids are listed here for your reference. As you can see, there are many forms of prescription opioids available, and they are commonly used among people who have chronic pain, people who has had recent surgeries, or even people who had recent dental work done. These prescription pain medications are widely prescribed by doctors, and sometimes the patient may not need to finish the entire amount, especially if they got it for dental work. They may take a few pills, and feel better, at which point they will most likely stop taking the medication, and the pills may sit around in the house for a long time. This is where proper storage and disposal become important, which we will address in the upcoming slides.
And finally, the illicit, or illegal form of opioids, is heroin, which has no accepted medical value in the US. Heroin is more dangerous than prescription opioids because it is injected or snorted, which means it will enter your body and brain much quicker, causing a stronger sense of euphoria, which also means it has a higher risk for overdose.
"Opiate Abuse." DrugAbuse.com. N.p., 13 Aug Web. 26 Jan Available at:

7. Other Commonly Abused Prescription Medications
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
Alprazolam
Phenobarbitol
Diazepam
Cough Syrups
Lorazepam
Dextromethorphan and codeine-containing cough syrups
Amphetamines
Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine
Methylphenidate
Aside from opioids, other commonly abused prescription medications are listed here for your reference. This includes medications within the class called benzodiazepines, and they are commonly used for anxiety. Medications within the amphetamine class, which are used for ADHD, barbiturates such as phenobarbitol, which is used for seizures, and certain cough syrups containing dextromethorphan, which is available over the counter, but also has abuse potential.
Because thefts might not only be going after opioids, it is also good to be familiar with these medication classes.

8. The Problem
Homeowners do not consider prescription drugs as valuable items and are unaware of their street value
People are unaware of secure disposal methods for unwanted or expired prescription drugs
Easy access to prescription drugs during open house visits
Difficult to differentiate thieves from potential house buyers
The problem we are trying to address, with your help, is the fact that people often do not consider prescription drugs as valuable items, and do not special measures to keep them safe. These prescription drugs, once stolen, can potentially be worth much more than its original value, and that is the reason why many individuals would take the risk to steal them, either for their own use, or for sale in the streets.
People might not be aware of the proper way to dispose unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Most people know not to dispose of medication in regular garbage, but at the same time, they may not know what they should do. We will address this in later slides.
Open house visits are an excellent way for potential thefts to get their hands on these prescription medications, because it is very difficult to differentiate them from potential house buyers, and during the visits, it is very difficult to keep an eye on every guest.

9. What Others Have Done
Partnering up with law enforcement and drug rehabilitation experts (ex. The Greater Association of San Diego Realtors)
Creating organizations to help raise awareness of prescription drug thefts during open houses (ex. Safe Homes Coalition)
There are several organizations, such as the Greater Association of San Diego Realtors, that has already recognized the problem of drug diversion during open house visits, and have formed partnership with local law enforcement agents and experts to combat this issue together.
They have formed an organization called Safe Homes Coalition with the hope to help raise awareness of this issue.

10. What You Can Do To Help Join the Safe Homes Coalition
Stay informed about local news and trends
Encourage homeowners to secure their prescription drugs the same way they would secure their wallets and credit cards
Introduce medication lock boxes and drug take back locations/programs
Stay vigilant and try to keep an eye on everyone
As realtors, you can join the safe homes coalition, or start an organization of your own to help your community fight the opioid epidemic.
Stay informed about local news and trends, and help educate your clients by encouraging them to secure their medication the same way they would secure their wallets and credit cards
Introduce them to medication lock boxes and local drug take back locations and programs available
And finally, although it may be difficult, please stay vigilant and try your best to keep an eye on everyone during visits.

11. Things to Look Out For
Some common methods of prescription drug theft during open house:
Ask to use the bathroom and use that opportunity to search the medicine cabinet
Copy down the information on a prescription label, fill it at the pharmacy and then pick it up later
Drug thefts may use different strategies to distract you and steal during a visit with you, and it is impossible to be 100% prepared. But it may be helpful to see what has been reported in the news to get an idea of how this has happened.
People have asked to use the bathroom and used that opportunity to search the medicine cabinet of the owner. They would empty out the pills inside the bottle into their pockets, and by the time the homeowners find out their medication is missing, the theft would be long gone
It has also been reported that some individuals would copy down the information on a prescription label, call the pharmacy to have the prescription filled, and then later go pick it up at from the pharmacy. This would generally not be an issue with prescription opioids within NJ, since they are often categorized as CII controlled substance (all except tramadol and codeine products), and they cannot be refilled at a pharmacy under any circumstances. Therefore this may be more applicable for the other commonly abused prescriptions mentioned earlier.

12. Medication Lock Boxes Private and secure medication storage system
Easy installation; install anywhere
Some hold up to 15 prescription bottles
Good choice for both prescription and over-the-counter medications
Security features to look for:
Digital, battery operated combination lock
5 min lock out after 5 failed attempts
Audible tone with each password entry (for both correct and incorrect entries)

13. Drug Disposal
[Insert information for local drug take back locations, such as police stations]
[Use resources to identify drop off locations:
NOTE: THIS SLIDE IS MEANT TO BE MODIFIED TO INCLUDE LOCAL DISPOSAL LOCATIONS. USE THE WEBSITE PROVIDED TO LOCATE MEDICATION DROP OFF LOCATIONS.
While Deterra bags can be a good option for drug disposal, the bags themselves do require an additional cost. Direct your clients to local medication drop off locations for proper medication disposal. Police stations often offer drug take back service, but always call or do your research to confirm before going in. It is also important to find out what type of take back services a certain location offers. For example, many places will take bag medication but not syringe.