Pat Ruda, director of Coulee Council on Addictions, also spoke at the "Athlete to Heroin Addict" presentation on Feb. 16 in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. She focused on the recent increase in prescription drug addictions.
"Young people are experimenting with prescription drugs, thinking a doctor prescribes them, so it's okay," Ruda told Lumen.
"In particular, athletes deal with injuries and high performance expectations," Ruda said. "We see a movement from athletes using prescription drugs as they're prescribed to using and abusing them."
After the speech, Ruda said that anyone can contact the counseling center with questions. "Prescription drug addiction is a very real issue in La Crosse County," she said. "People are mixing drugs, alcohol, and other substances – and the combination can become lethal."
The facts (provided by Coulee Council on Addictions) are that 6.4 million people in the U.S. are currently using prescription-type drugs for non-medical purposes, and young people, age 18-25, show the greatest use overall.
For more information:
Coulee Council on Addictions
921 West Ave. South, La Crosse.
(608) 784-4177
www.couleecouncil.org
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