Take It Back! Wednesday Wellness

"Off the Record Q & A with a Local A.M.E."

DR. Larry

Old Drugs are Like Old Clothes

Unused medications accumulate in the house like old clothes in the close. Most households have them and like so many of us, it’s time to quit procrastinating and get rid of them.

This coming Saturday, October 29^th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 am to 2 pm for controlled substances, regular prescriptions, pet prescriptions, and over-the-counter (OTC) products. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remove these hazards from our homes and communities.

Why should YOU/WE care?

YOU should care because prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the country. Abuses of medicines by teens often results in medical emergencies and fatal overdoses. Most abusers of medicines, including teens, get the drugs from a friend or relative- not a drug dealer. It’s alarming that in most communities, nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected by teen overdose. I’m passionate because I’ve known one too many. Let’s stop it now.

YOU should care because unwanted medicines left in the home endanger our children, seniors and pets. About half of the 37,000 phone calls to the Washington Poison Control Center concern young children who have been poisoned by medicines found at home.

WE all need to care about our environment. We used to encourage flushing drugs down the toilet or mixing them with kitty litter before throwing them in the garbage. Now we know that when unwanted medicines are sent down the sewers or disposed of in landfills they find their way into our drinking water, lakes and food sources. Do we need more pollutants in the environment? I don't believe so.

What can be taken back? Lots! Click HERE to find out what’s returnable. It's simple. It's easy. Participating pharmacies will take back non-narcotic medicines while law enforcement agencies will take back everything including narcotic prescriptions.

Click HERE to find participating locations. This event occurs every six months and nearly 5000 law-enforcement agencies nationwide participate.

Encourage Others!

Forward the Message!

To learn even more, visit:

TakeBackYourMeds.org

DEADiversion.USdoj.gov/drug/disposal/takeback

Prescription and OTC drugs are not candy. They are a liability. Make your own home and community safer by taking back those old prescription medications and consider yourself a hero. You may just save a life or two.

To your good health,

Dr Larry.

For more information on Dr. Larry's click on his bio.

Thank you Dr. Larry, I'm cleaning out my cupboards and driving less than a block from my house to take them in this Saturday. If anyone wants a copy of the Take Back poster, below, to hang in your workplace or share with friends, please email me and I will send you the PDF file.