National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 29

Law enforcement, public health, and environmental professionals stand united in support of medication take-back programs, such as the DEA’s take-back event on Saturday, October 29, as the safest and most responsible way to dispose of old and leftover medicines.  Take-back programs are one way to prevent youth prescription drug abuse.

In our community, the North Precinct will be collecting unused medications on October 29, 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. as part of the DEA's national take-back day.  Other Seattle Police precincts are also participating.  In addition to these one-day drop-off sites, local Bartell Drugs and Group Health sites take back medicines all of the time.


In Washington State, the Take Back Your Meds Coalition is advocating for a permanent, state-wide take-back program.  Drug manufacturers are in a unique position to take responsibility and pay for take-back programs as a cost of doing business, just as they already do in other countries. For a couple of pennies per prescription or bottle of cold pills, drug companies could finance and provide a safe ongoing medicine take-back system for our state.

In Olympia, big PHARMA has worked hard to dodge taking responsibility. Sadly, pressure from PHARMA stalled action in the WA Legislature last year. Luckily, this year our representatives again have a chance to pass a bill to create a state wide medicine take-back system by requiring companies selling medicines in the state to provide the program as part of doing business.

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. 

Take back your meds bookmarks

Just in time for National Night Out neighborhood events, the local Take Back Your Meds campaign has made available bookmarks promoting prescription drug take-back programs. 

 

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. 

Coalition learns about Take Back Your Meds campaign

During yesterday's Prevention WINS meeting, coalition members learned about the local Take Back Your Meds campaign. 

Legislation currently being considered in the Washington State Senate would create a secure medicine return program in our state.  This bill could have a significant impact on youth substance abuse prevention.  During recent coalition meetings, we've heard reports about youth abuse of prescription medications on the rise.  Prevention science confirms that reducing access to harmful substances is a proven method for preventing youth substance abuse.  For the legislation to move forward, the Senate Rules Committee will need to vote on it by March 7.  Pharmaceutical companies who oppose the bill are working hard to ensure that the bill does not get a full Senate vote. 

Preventing prescription drug abuse

As I meet with community members, the topic of youth prescription drug abuse keeps coming up. People who work with teenagers report an increase in the number of young people who are abusing prescription drugs. According to the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey, 12% of Washington high school seniors abuse medicines.

A local coalition is advocating for drug take-back programs where Washington residents can bring their unwanted medicines to be properly destroyed. Their website includes fact sheets and other resources that community members can use to increase understanding and awareness of the issue.

In Seattle, the SAMA Foundation advocates for drug take-back programs, as well.