In an attempt to get rid of dangerous drugs and shed light on the problem of prescription abuse, the DEA recently rounded up old pills in a “drug take-back” event.
It’s a common and dramatic scene: a concerned family member or conflicted drug addict ceremoniously empties a bottle of pills or a bag of pot or cocaine into the toilet and flushes. The temptation is gone and that’s a good thing, right? Right – to a degree.
Flushing drugs may seem a like a good idea, but where do those illegal or prescription substances end up after their journey through the sewer system? And if we can’t flush them, how do parents worried about keeping prescription pain meds within reach of curious kids and teens get rid of meds they no longer need?
Turn Your Old Drugs Into the DEA
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently urged Americans to turn in their old and unused prescription drugs as part of an effort by the agency to stop a rise in prescription drug abuse. The drug take-back events took place at 4,000 sites across the country, providing individuals with the opportunity to drop off old medications safely and anonymously.
What happens to all those drugs once they’re collected? The DEA incinerates them.
The new event was a first step in curbing the growing trend of prescription drug experimentation and abuse among teens and young adults. It was about more than just getting pills out of medicine cabinets; the event was also about getting the word out about the dangers of misusing prescription meds.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released earlier this month, as high as 17 percent of Americans have abused prescription drugs, while nearly 20 percent of 18-year-olds had abused prescription painkillers.
Oxycodone, hydrocodone, Valium, Xanax and stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall are all popular among those looking for a quick high.
For those who didn’t make it to one of the recent DEA events, there are other ways to safely dispose of unwanted prescription medications. The DEA recommends flushing pills only if the bottle says they’re “flushable.” Non-flushable pills can be disposed of in kitty litter or coffee grounds and then thrown in the trash.
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Tags: Prescription Drug Abuse
