It's something no one wants to happen, but unfortunately, it does.
Old, expired and unused medications often end up in the wrong hands.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
It's something no one wants to happen, but unfortunately, it does.
Old, expired and unused medications often end up in the wrong hands.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60,000 children in the United States each year are seen in the emergency room after accidental medication poisonings. Meanwhile, an average of 2,000 teenagers each day use a prescription drug without a doctor's guidance for the first time.
Many teens mistakenly believe prescription drugs are safer than illegal street drugs, yet most people don't lock up their medications or discard them when no longer needed, making them easy targets for misuse. Because these drugs are so readily available, some teens who might never touch illicit drugs find themselves experimenting with prescription medications.
And that is only a few numbers from some reports about kids and teens. Those findings are not all-inclusive and do not include adults or those with mental disabilities.
However, Alabama residents took a stand against these dangers on April 26, when they safely removed 3,668 pounds of unused and expired medications from their homes during the spring Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The event, held twice annually, aims to reduce drug misuse and prevent accidental poisonings and overdoses in communities statewide.
Organized as part of a nationwide effort to combat the opioid crisis, the event featured 44 drop-off sites, including police stations and pharmacies, where Alabamians turned in their unwanted medications for safe disposal.
"By collecting unwanted and expired medications, we're keeping them out of the hands of children and others who could accidentally or intentionally harm themselves," said Dr. Mark LeQuire, president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, in a news release. "Take Back Day helps make our communities safer and healthier by ensuring medications are disposed of responsibly."
Per the release, Alabama has collected and destroyed more than 130,000 pounds of medications since the program began in 2010, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Those who missed the recent event can still dispose of medications safely year-round at participating pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies across Alabama. To find a convenient location, visit the DEA's website at www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day.
For Baldwin County residents, the following sites accept medication for disposal year-round, according to the DEA:
The next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for October. The exact date will be announced later this year.
