This is one of the seven strategies that PAADA coalition members are addressing in Newport to reduce prescription drug abuse by youth.
The Newport Police Department, PAADA-Partnership Against Alcohol And other Drug Abuse and APARC-Addiction Prevention & Recovery Committee are sponsoring a pilot project in the Newport community. The Rx Drug Take Back Project was initiated as a way to provide people with a safe, convenient, and environmentally sound way of getting rid of unwanted or expired medications.
Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing and most alarming type of drug abuse in our area, surpassing the use of methamphetamines. Medicine cabinets have become the drug dealers of choice. According to a nationwide survey, Oregon has among the highest rate in the U.S. for teen prescription drug abuse with more youth starting out with painkillers than with marijuana. Older adults are also susceptible to an accidental overdose and being poisoned by ingesting unused or expired Rx drugs left in their medicine cabinets.
Many people are confused about how to properly dispose of unused, unwanted medications. In the past, they have been instructed to flush Rx drugs, grind them up to use in kitty litter, or to throw them in the garbage.
So, what is the appropriate way to dispose of medications? The Rx Drug Drop Off Box is a convenient and safe way to do this. Local pharmacists are supportive of this program and relieved that they can finally point people in the right direction. The Newport Police Dept. is providing maintenance and security for the box which is located in their lobby at City Hall. Anyone can bring their Rx drugs there and just drop them in the slot. Only a Law Enforcement Agency is authorized by the Federal Government to collect and dispose of unused controlled narcotics. Because of this, the police department will be using the same procedure to dispose of these Rx drugs as they do with other evidence they collect-in an environmentally safe incinerator.