Q: Why should Iowans be concerned about disposing of unneeded medicines?
A: A growing misuse of prescription pain relievers is on the rise in towns big and small in communities across America. People who abuse prescription drugs often obtain them through a friend or relative for whom the medicines were legally prescribed. While illegal drug trafficking poses significant risk to public safety and public health, a looming source for enterprising addicts actually stares us in the face every morning: our medicine cabinets. Parents and grandparents, especially, need to take precautions with unneeded prescription pain medicines being stored at home. Drug treatment professionals say getting hooked on prescription painkillers may sometimes lead to a heroin addiction, a much cheaper alternative. Disposing responsibly of unused prescription drugs is a good habit to practice that may help prevent bad ones from getting started. Even though it took four years to complete, I’m glad the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued its final rule to implement bipartisan legislation I co-sponsored in 2010 to help prevent the diversion of opioids and other powerful pharmaceuticals for non-prescription use. My legislation amended the Controlled Substances Act to address the growing risk of users diverting prescription medicines for non-medical use and foster more effective ways for local communities to collect and safely dispose of unneeded or expired prescription drugs. Deaths in Iowa attributed to the abuse of prescription pain medication have spiked in the last decade, rising from just eight in 2003 to 52 in 2012. Iowa public health and law enforcement authorities are at work to stop these preventable deaths from destroying even more Iowa families. As a federal policymaker, I’m working to help raise awareness about the misuse of non-prescribed pharmaceuticals, ensure proper prescribing practices among health care professionals and promote ways for safe, prompt disposal of unused prescription medicines. In May I co-chaired with Sen. Dianne Feinstein a congressional hearing to highlight the prevalence of opioid addiction. We are also leading a bipartisan effort to investigate a possible link between prescribing patterns of opioid painkillers and patient satisfactions surveys.
Q: What is National Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration?
A: The DEA is sponsoring its ninth national campaign to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for citizens to dispose properly of prescription drugs. In just three years, the DEA, in collaboration with local authorities, has collected 3.4 million pounds of unwanted, expired, or unneeded prescription pills. On Saturday, September 27, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local communities participating in the campaign will host collection sites in which residents and pet owners may bring their unneeded household pharmaceuticals, including animal prescription drugs, for disposal. Liquids or sharp needles are not accepted. The drop-off sites provide a free, no-questions-asked, convenient way for Iowans to prevent the possible misuse, accidental overdose or poisoning from taking place in their households. Look for the nearest location through the DEA’s website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. Or call 1-800-882-9539.
If prescription-holders are not able to participate in September’s “National Take Back Day,” it’s not too late to make a difference to keep your household safe. Other approved opportunities authorized by the DEA may include collection receptacles and mail-back packages, in addition to local take-back events. Check this link on the DEA website for proper disposal of medicines at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/index.html. Keep in mind that improper disposal of unused medications, such as flushing pills down the toilet or discarding them in the trash, may pose environmental hazards and risk public safety. Thanks to the expansion of safe, legal disposal methods, disposal soon should become easier than before.
Q: What do parents need to know about this issue?
A: First and foremost, parents need to communicate with their kids. There seems to be a false assumption among youth that experimenting with prescription medicines isn’t harmful to their health. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly five million Americans were current abusers of prescription pain relievers. And the Office of National Drug Control Policy documented in 2005 that one-third of the number of new abusers were 12-17-year olds. Parents need to understand that these statistics can hit close to home. In addition to the preventable loss of life and immeasurable heartache, the diversion of pharmaceuticals for non-medical use has resulted in increased violent crime and property crime in communities across the U.S. Be a responsible parent and good citizen. Take regular inventory of the medicine cabinet. Take advantage of safe, convenient disposal events to discard unused, expired, unneeded prescription medicines. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical drugs have become targeted treasures for teens and adults who divert the prescription medicine for illicit use. Parents, educators, policymakers, health care professionals and law enforcement officials must work together to keep our kids, communities and environment safe.