News Notes: Substance Abuse Report, IRS scam

The Canton Police and Fire departments reported one non-fatal overdose of heroin in Canton last week. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 22. The victim, a 27-year-old male, was administered the opiate reversal drug Narcan.

The newly renamed Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA), made up of various public safety, health and community officials, will be submitting periodic public service announcements to parents and the press. This one concerns prescription drugs:

The largest source of easily available and “free” abused medications are the billions of prescription pills readily accessible in home medicine cabinets. Some are powerful opioid pain medications that can be attractive to young people, who can take them without parents knowing, contributing to an epidemic of opioid abuse and dependence, overdose and potential loss of life.

The majority of people including teens and other young people who abuse prescription medications access them from medicine cabinets in their own or other’s homes. It is important to find an area in your home where you can lock up all your medications, including those prescribed for pets. Store medications in a locked cabinet, drawer, or toolbox or purchase child-proof lock boxes. Parents and grandparents should also be aware that up to 20 percent of childhood prescription drug poisonings involve a grandparent’s medication. Grandparents often have prescription bottles that are not child-resistant or loose pills out on tables, kitchen counters, or in purses or pockets. Prescription drugs can be safety disposed of in the drop box located in the front foyer of the Canton Police Department. No needles or liquids are accepted.

Deputy chief warns of IRS telephone scam

Deputy Police Chief Helena Rafferty said there have been several recent reports of elderly residents receiving suspicious phone calls from a caller purporting to be from the IRS and requesting private information. Rafferty said the calls are false and that residents should not be intimidated. She suggested that residents tell the caller, “I am busy right now and could I call you back?” Rafferty also suggested that residents record the name and phone number of the caller, if possible, and then report the information back to her at 781-828-1214, ext. 101.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 27 2015. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.