Let’s say you had a short-term need for the popular anxiety medicine Xanax because of a death in the family or some other personal tragedy.
Your doctor, being the caring and understanding person he is, obliges with a one-time monthly prescription low dose, maybe .25 milligrams.
“Take one table as needed,” the directions say.
But you discover that as your anxiety eases and episodes are less traumatic and of a shorter duration, that your need for the medicine is not as prevalent as it was to begin with.
So what do you do with the 20 or so pills that are left over? How do you help prevent abusive uses of prescription drugs or disposing of them in a way that just may further degrade the already fragile environment?
Growing Concern
The disposal of pharmaceutical waste is a growing concern in the county as well as across the country. Some medicines are more harmful than others and in some cases can be fatal, according to the Federal Drug Administration.
The method used by some people to get rid of extra prescription drugs varies. Some toss them in the trash. Some flush them down the toilet or the sink. Some may even pull a strong no-no and “share” them with a friend in a similar sickness situation.
That first method, according to the Federal Drug Administration, is OK with certain preparations, like completely removing labels or dumping the medicine (dissolved solid and liquid versions) into a baggie filled with cat litter, a non-toxic powdered spice, charcoal, old coffee grounds or a bunch of garbage from last night’s meatballs and spaghetti — something that will discourage teen or adult abusers from taking and using the medications and stops wildlife from wanting to ingest them.
The FDA says that second method (flushing) is OK for certain drugs; they list them on their Web site. The FDA indicates, though, that you should flush these drugs only if you don’t have access to a take-back program. (Read information that comes with your medications. Often, there are instructions included for proper disposal and should show what medications can be flushed.) But the Missouri Department of Natural Resources says that practice can harm beneficial bacteria and shows up in water systems because most providers cannot filter everything out of the supply.
The third method is absolutely against all protocols at every level of drug administration. Do not give medicine prescribed specifically for you to any other person.
Common Occurrence
Local law enforcement agencies — and citizens who know about it — already drop off unwanted medications at the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office, again with the labels removed. Then, after an accumulation, the medicines are taken to an office that has an incinerator and destroys them that way.
Anderson Police Chief Donavon Pierson said his officers bring prescription drugs they confiscate from teen and adult abusers into his office for safekeeping. They are eventually taken to Joplin where they are incinerated.
“It’s actually quite common in the area,” the chief said. He said he and his officers investigate complaints of users and sellers and, sadly, has handled some prescription drug overdose cases.
But it isn’t just abusers that catch his eye. The biggest thing, he said, especially with the elderly, is drugs just getting thrown in the trash.
Pineville Marshal David Beshears said he usually turns in what he picks up at the health department, as do other people.
Judge John R. LePage said he sees several prescription drug abusers in drug court, guessing that maybe a third of his charges use them.
He advises everyone to take precautions with unwanted drugs and to dispose of them right away if not used.
He mentioned the strong pain killer, hydrocodone, popular with abusers, as an example.
“If they (people it’s prescribed to) use four or five tablets, then put it up on the shelf, then someone gets it four or five months later,” LePage said. “Dispose of it immediately when you know you won’t use any more.”
Drop Box Likely
There is a move on to bring in an official, secure prescription and over-the-counter drop box that will be housed at the sheriff’s office. New McDonald County Sheriff Mike Hall has indicated approval of that placement. The McDonald County High School Drug-Free Scholarship Program is heading an effort to establish a local coalition under the Community Partnership of the Ozarks in Springfield, which will help set up the application for that placement, which may come sometime after May 2013 if a grant application is approved. Program chairman Rachel Acuff said she has contacted leaders at The Community Partnership of the Ozarks in Springfield who will help with gaining the official recognition. Local education efforts on fighting misuse are already in place through the high school group.
Anderson’s Chief Pierson said he would definitely utilize a county drop box if it becomes available; Marshal Beshears indicated he would probably do the same.
The drop box program is handled in the state by the Missouri Youth/Adult Alliance. Mona Lara is project director for that program, through which numerous boxes have been placed by local coalitions under law enforcement supervision in a widespread area of the state.
Most teens, Lara said, are not buying the drugs, they are getting them free from their own homes or from friends. The environmental angle is to get them out of the hands of people who no longer need them and into a place where the drugs in the drop box are under constant surveillance.
“The permanent drop boxes came about as an environmental vision and to combat drug abuse,” Lara said. “The program has come about to have a way to turn in drugs. Disposal of prescription drugs is one of the best things you can do to make sure they are not in the hands of kids or adults that are abusing them.”
The coalitions are across the state. Many host take back days. McDonald County does not have a drop box yet, but the Southwest Missouri Drug Task force hosts a “trash or stash” take-back day twice a year, according to Gregg Sweeten, emergency management director for the county.
Lara said the local coalitions promote usage of the drop boxes throughout the year as well.
Health department administrator Paige Behm stands behind any effort to dispose of unneeded drugs.
“The health department is excited to see a drug take back program offered in McDonald County,” Behm said. “People need a safe way to dispose of medicines, especially prescription drugs. Accidental overdoses have been on the rise with abuse of pain killers. Offering safe disposal in McDonald County will help create awareness about the risks associated with prescription drugs.”