Effort targets expired meds

Drop-off program Saturday at St. E’s

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Humility of Mary Health Partners will partner with a federal agency and other law-enforcement groups on a collaborative effort to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from medicine cabinets.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, participants can stop by St. Elizabeth Health Center’s Belmont Avenue lobby to drop off any expired, unwanted or unused prescription medicine as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative.

Law-enforcement officials from HMHP police will staff the event. The service is free and anonymous, and no questions are asked.

“Encouraging individuals to rid their households of unused prescription drugs that are potentially dangerous makes this a safer community for all of us,” said Rudy Zemelka, HMHP director of protective services and chief of police.

HMHP officials said the one-day effort organized by the DEA is taking place at collection sites across the country and will bring focus to the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet, according to an HMHP press release.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows seven of the 10 drugs most commonly abused by teenagers are prescription medicines. The NSDUH also estimates there are 6.2 million nonmedical users of psychotherapeutic drugs, which is more than the number of cocaine, heroin and hallucinogen abusers combined.

“Prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest- growing drug problem, and take-back events such as this one are an indispensable tool for reducing the threat that the diversion and abuse of these drugs pose to public health,” said Gil Kerlikowske, director of National Drug Control Policy.

In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away, leading to potential safety and health hazards.

Recent studies by the Environmental Protection Agency have detected pharmaceutical drugs in varying concentrations in the nation’s water supplies.

Other participants in the initiative are the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; the National Association of Attorneys General; the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy; the Federation of State Medical Boards; and the National District Attorneys Association.

TAKE-BACK PROGRAM

What to do

Here is the collection protocol that will be followed Saturday when people drop off expired, unwanted or unused prescription medicine at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown. More information is listed at hmpartners.org.

No questions or requests for identification will be asked.

Medication may be kept in its original container or removed from the original container and disposed directly into the disposal box at the site.

If an original container is disposed, remove any personal identifying information from the prescription label.

Liquid medications may be dropped off. Make sure the cap is tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Intravenous solutions, injectables and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne infectious germs.

Source: Humility of Mary Health Partners