Dr. Susan M. Bissett @PhDSus
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
@PhDSus
The National Drug Take Back day is this Saturday. The University of Charleston School of Pharmacy will be participating in this event with a drop off location with the pharmacy school or in the parking lot behind the pharmacy school (weather permitting).
Any medications may be dropped off with NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Community members are encouraged to drop off any unused, unwanted or expired prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The only items we cannot accept are liquids, syringes, and illegal drugs.
“The opioid overdose death rate in West Virginia is more than double the national average and has increased 605% between 1999 and 2010. In addition, nationwide more than 5,700 people ages 12 and older misuse prescription pain medication for the first time every day,” said Dr. Susan Gardner Bissett, UCSOP assistant dean for professional and student affairs. “We also know that the average age for first (mis)use of prescription or illicit drugs among program participants is 9-to-12 years of age.”
“Access to prescription drugs can lead to unintentional use or long-term misuse,” explained Dr. Lindsay Acree, UCSOP assistant professor and pharmacist who is coordinating the event. “We want to encourage everyone to consider cleaning out their medication cabinets to get rid of any unused medications including unused pain medication and antibiotics.”
Resources to share with young children about medication safety will also be available. In addition, UCSOP will be providing a small number of Medication Disposal Systems community members can take home to dispose of medications in the future. These systems (or bags) are especially helpful for those taking care of relatives with long-term chronic or terminal illness.
Any medications may be dropped off with NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Community members are encouraged to drop off any unused, unwanted or expired prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The only items we cannot accept are liquids, syringes, and illegal drugs.
“The opioid overdose death rate in West Virginia is more than double the national average and has increased 605% between 1999 and 2010. In addition, nationwide more than 5,700 people ages 12 and older misuse prescription pain medication for the first time every day,” said Dr. Susan Gardner Bissett, UCSOP assistant dean for professional and student affairs. “We also know that the average age for first (mis)use of prescription or illicit drugs among program participants is 9-to-12 years of age.”
“Access to prescription drugs can lead to unintentional use or long-term misuse,” explained Dr. Lindsay Acree, UCSOP assistant professor and pharmacist who is coordinating the event. “We want to encourage everyone to consider cleaning out their medication cabinets to get rid of any unused medications including unused pain medication and antibiotics.”
Resources to share with young children about medication safety will also be available. In addition, UCSOP will be providing a small number of Medication Disposal Systems community members can take home to dispose of medications in the future. These systems (or bags) are especially helpful for those taking care of relatives with long-term chronic or terminal illness.