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Some years back a friend in another state told me his grandsons had gotten into his medicines while he was in the hospital. He was understandably upset that the two teenagers were experimenting with prescription drugs, and that they had taken them from his house. Fortunately, tragedy did not occur.
It is not uncommon for youth to check out a medicine cabinet for something they can use. You never know what is going through a young person's mind, or the influence of their peers. However, as we have said before parents, keep talking to your youngsters because they are listening even if they think it's not cool to let you know that they are hearing what you say. (They will surprise you some day when they tell you what you said.)
There are some things you can do to reduce the risks of prescription medications getting into the wrong hands and bringing harm to someone you love. Drug Take-Back Day is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advises that "the drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety and national security threat." The agency urges removing unneeded medications form home to help prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction.
"Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic." Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is your way of helping to reduce risk of misuse. Taking unused prescription drugs to a drop-off point is safe and anonymous."
Twenty-one years ago, National Prescription Drug Takeback Day was initiated. The concept is to turn in medications you are no longer taking and no longer need. Remove labels and any identifying information from the container to protect your privacy. Then, take the medications to a collection site. You don't have to get out of your car, there are no documents to sign. It is completely anonymous.
The take-back is collected in April and October each year. In 21 years, approximately 705,919 pounds of medications have been collected within Ohio's 278 collection sites.
Don't flush medications unless they are on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's list of medications recommended for disposal by flushing. It is best recommended to dispose of unneeded prescription drugs at a take-back collection site.
"Collection sites are registered by law enforcement and a pharmacist. Both are required to be present," advises Joe Rawson, Education Director at Family Recovery Center.
In Columbiana County the collection sites are at East Liverpool City Hospital, 425 W. 5th St., East Liverpool and, in Salem, the Salem Regional Medical Center's Professional Services Building, 2094 E. State St., (across the street from the hospital.) Family Recovery Center's Education Department will be at the take-back sites to provide Narcan, FRC brochures in Columbiana, Jefferson and Harrison counties, Rawson said.
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Addiction has no address, but Family Recovery Center does. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by United Way of Northern Columbiana County.