Prescription drug abuse among Central New York youth is an escalating crisis, according to Joyce Abold, vice president of the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Advisory Council.

“The ease of accessibility makes [prescription drugs] prevalent in most homes,” she said. “They’re right there in the medicine cabinet.”

The Advisory Council invites the public to attend an informational panel presentation from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Carman Community Room at the Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool.

The speakers will include representatives from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Upstate Poison Control Center and Rural Metro Ambulance.

Topics will cover the various classes of prescription medications, recognizing the signs of prescription drug abuse, the connection between prescription drugs and the use of illegal drugs such as heroin, measures to prevent drug abuse in the home and proper disposal of prescription medications.

On Jan. 6, the Advisory Council hosted a forum at Liverpool Library on the recent increase in heroin abuse in the county.

Abold advised parents whose teenagers are addicted to either heroin or prescription drugs to contact the OnCare office at Onondaga County’s Children and Family Service, at 463-1100.  

Thursday’s informational forum is free, and take-home literature will be available.