The goal of this Task Force, formed in 2005, is to reduce the number of youth and older adults in Calhoun County who abuse prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Activities to accomplish this goal include:

• To collect and utilize local data and information to drive action decision making.
• To reduce access to prescription drugs and over the counter medications by youth through parent education, school policies, and strategies to reduce youth access to prescription and OTC medications.
• To increase community awareness about prescription and OTC drug abuse by conducting a public awareness campaign, hosting trainings, education sessions, and providing resource information.
• To increase active participation in the Calhoun County Prescription Drugs Task Force to carry out the objectives of the Task Force.

Battle Creek Enquirer Article: Calhoun looks at increasing medicine abuse trends

The Calhoun County Medicine Abuse Prevention Task Force will continue to meet to examine prescription and over-the-counter drug issues and implement strategies to reduce abuse and access. It was decided at our January meeting to host quarterly meetings.