SAMMAMISH, Wash. - A local group is has begun a new move to crack down on the abuse of prescription drugs.
Firefighter-emergency medical technician Scott Depuy and his friend Brent Campbell, a member of the FBI Citizen Academy, are working with the Bartell Drugs store chain to sell simple, plastic prescription drug lockboxes. While some may say it's a small victory, for Depuy, it's very personal.
Two years, ago, Depuy lost his 17-year-old son Ryan to a drug overdose. Ryan, a soccer star, was found dead a friend's home after taking a cocktail of Xanax, Vicodin, Benadryl and cough syrup.
"We did everything in our power to help Ryan," said Depuy. "We put him in treatment, we supported him."
Washington has consistently ranked in the top ten in the percentage of people 12-years and older who abuse prescription pain relievers. Of those, one in 20 said they took prescription medicine from a friend or relative without asking. Prescription drug overdoses are said to be responsible for more deaths in the state than car accidents.
Depuy shares the "don't do drugs" message with kids and parents.
"I don't have a problem beating around the bush with them about the seriousness of drugs and addiction," says Depuy.
Ryan's story and many others are why Depuy and Campbell began their crusade to get drugstores across Western Washington to carry Rx lockboxes.
"Close it, lock it, and that prevents someone from getting into your narcotics," says Campbell as he demonstrates the lockbox. He hopes it either discourages the first-time user or show just how badly addicted someone is if they resort to stealing the whole box.
"Kids almost consider them (prescription drugs) harmless because they're prescribed by a doctor," says Campbell. "They don't realize how deadly it can be."
Depuy knows that while the lockbox is a good tool, ultimately parents should heed the warning signs.
"You need to take decisive action today before you're sitting here talking to people about not having your son anymore," Depuy says.
For now, the lockboxes are only available at Bartell Drugs stores. Campbell is campaigning to get shelf space for the lockboxes in other drug stores, both in Washington and nationally.
