Local News

Rx Drop Box Available in Ferry County

May 22, 2015

Leftover dinner can make a terrific next-day lunch, but prescription medications that you no longer need can pose a significant danger if left languishing in your medicine cabinet, especially to teens.

Last fall, 5% of 10th graders in Ferry County reported that they had taken someone else's prescription in the last 30 days. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused are: opioid pain relievers, such as Vicodin or Oxycontin; stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall, Concerta, or Ritalin; and central nervous system (CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety, such as Valium or Xanax[1]. The most commonly abused Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs are cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan.

Ready access to medications in the home make prescription and OTC drugs easy for teens to abuse or misuse them to get high. Prescription or OTC medication that is expired, unused, or no longer needed pose a significant risk for abuse.

Thanks to the endorsement and adoption of a new city policy by the Republic City Council to allow for the return of expired, unused, or unwanted medications, citizens of Ferry County may now safely dispose of medications at the Republic City Police department. The provision of a secure medicine take back box at the Republic Police Department will enable individuals and families to safely dispose of medication, thereby reducing access and potential misuse. Needles, lotions, liquids, or aerosol sprays are not accepted at the drop box.

A new community-wide initiative, Count It! Lock It! Drop It! aims to increase awareness of medication abuse and to provide a means to reduce or prevent it from happening. The campaign calls for individuals to count their pills every two weeks to prevent theft and ensure that medications are being taken as prescribed or directed. Lock up medications and store them in locations others wouldn't think to look. Drop off unused/expired medications for proper disposal at the Republic Police Department. Local businesses have embraced the effort to increase awareness by displaying the campaign logo in their windows.

Do not dispose of medications by dumping them down the sink or flushing them in the toilet. Medications can pollute groundwater and negatively affect septic tank systems. Throwing medication into landfills also poses an environmental risk. Instead, return them to the Republic Police Department for safe disposal.

Additionally, the RRAD Coalition has available secure home medication boxes for Ferry County citizens who may have medications which are more likely to be stolen or misused, including narcotics anti-depressants, and stimulants. To request a box, contact Janine Koffel, the Coalition Coordinator, to request a home lock box.

More information about the prevention of prescription and OTC medications can also be found online at NIDA's website for teens, www.teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx and at the University of Washington's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, www.stopoverdose.org.

Working with the Republic City Council and the Republic City Police to craft a medication take-back policy, the provision of a secure medicine take-back box, and the Count It! Lock It! Drop It! campaign are just a few of the strategies used by the RRAD Coalition to promote a safe community where youth are encouraged and empowered to choose to be alcohol and drug-free to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential. The RRAD Coalition is funded by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Behavioral Health and Recovery under the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative. Anyone interested in becoming involved in the work of the coalition is invited to attend the monthly coalition meetings held the first Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Republic Presbyterian Church, 605 S. Keller Street or to contact Janine Koffel, Coalition Coordinator, at (509) 207-9174. Updates on coalition activities are also provided on the What’s Right? RRAD Coalition Facebook page.