National Take Back Day

Howard County - One of the most serious threats to our youth may be lurking in your medicine cabinet! On Oct. 28 you have an opportunity to clean out those cabinets and reduce prescription drug and opioid abuse in our community. 

The Howard County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Drug Enforcement Agency, will be hosting a National Drug Take-Back Day for all community members to bring unused or expired pills and patches. This is a free event and completely confidential: No questions will be asked. 

Howard County pick-up sites will be at Howard County Sheriff’s Office from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The one in the hallway of Regional Health Services, outside of Cresco Family Pharmacy, will be picked up on Friday, Oct. 27. 

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (Rx) drug abuse is on the rise. Youth often perceive these drugs as “safe” alternatives to other illicit drugs, but this is not true. 

To counter this threat, it is also important to make sure these medications are being properly stored in your home. Medications should be monitored to notice if pills are missing. 

Prescription drugs that have a high potential for abuse should be in a secure place and not bathroom medicine cabinets. Over half of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them from a family member or a friend; this includes taking them from their home medicine cabinet without the person knowing. 

Throwing away or flushing the medications can end up polluting water and is a health and safety hazard. Proper disposal can be through the National Take-Back Day or through a permanent disposal site. 

The three Howard County sites listed above are now permanent disposal sites that can be used all year round thanks to the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and the Prevention 5 Coalition. Unused medicine in the home is one of the main sources for accidental poisonings. Protect your family, community and the environment by properly disposing of old or unused prescription or other drugs. 

For safety and if possible, keep all substances in their original containers. Personal information should be marked out. All liquid containers should be sealed in a leak-proof, clear, plastic bag.

Thermometers can be taken in zip-lock or plastic bags along with medication samples and hydrogen peroxide. Bloody or infectious waste will not be accepted.  

Unidentified substances will still be accepted along with all prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements or herbs. 

Contact Jennifer Kimber at Helping Services for Youth & Families with any further questions or for more information on the pick-up sites or prescription drug abuse. 

Serving families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is dedicated to responding to current health and safety needs of youth and families through empowerment, support, and education.

 

Submitted by Jennier Kimber, Community  Prevention Specialist