Prescription drug take-back campaign notes

The local Take Back Your Meds campaign holds monthly coordinating conference calls and here are my notes from today's call --

-- The DEA is hosting another prescription drug take-back event on October 29.  This will probably be the last or second-to-last nationwide event, with the last one possibly to be held in early 2012, since new federal legislation will allow for take-back programs without DEA involvement. 

-- "Extended producer responsibility", including the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to be stewards of their products after they are sold, was the topic of a panel discussion during the National Conference of State Legislators earlier this month.  The only non-industry panelist was from the Product Policy Institute and he blogged about his experience. 

KING 5: How to prevent teen prescription drug abuse

Saturday was Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and KING 5's HealthLink explains how such programs help prevent youth prescription drug abuse.

Kitsap youth group creates Take Back Your Meds PSA

The Kitsap County Reduce Underage Drinking Youth Council created a public service announcement for this Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the DEA and local law enforcement.

After the National Take-Back Day, Kitsap County plans to extend the life of the PSA by removing the final frame and replacing it with contact information so people who want to know more about prescription drug issues can connect with local efforts.

National prescription drug abuse prevention plan released

Earlier this week, the White House released its Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan entitled "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis".  The plan establishes a framework for reducing prescription drug abuse by:

-- educating prescribers, patients, and parents;

-- supporting prescription drug monitoring programs;

-- implementing safe and environmentally responsible disposal of unused or unwanted prescription drugs;

-- involving law enforcement in the reduction of "pill mills" and "doctor shopping" by those seeking to abuse drugs.  

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug abuse problem in the country.  Below are two charts that were released along with the prevention plan.  Both illustrate the dramatic increase in deaths involving prescription drugs and, in particular, opioid analgesics. 

 
What can be done right now? 

-- Encourage your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to safely dispose of unwanted medications during the DEA's Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 30.  All Seattle Police Department precincts are participating in this one-day event.

-- Learn about the Take Back Your Meds campaign here in Washington State.