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| Image Source: Poughkeepsiejournal.com |
Prescription-drug abuse can have deadly consequences, as we have witnessed in the mid-Hudson Valley and across the country.
No one solution will eradicate the problem. But sometimes simple, common-sense steps can mean a lot. Far too often, people carelessly leave their unused and unneeded portions of prescription drugs in places where others can gain access. Instead, people should be discarding these drugs in a responsible way that keeps them out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.
Both Dutchess and Ulster counties have taken this matter seriously, placing drug disposal boxes at key locations. In Dutchess, those locations include the New York State Police headquarters in Salt Point, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office in the City of Poughkeepsie and various local police departments. In Ulster, the locations include Kingston police station and the the campus of SUNY New Paltz.
Next month, this movement should grow dramatically on a federal level. Beginning Oct. 9, pharmacies and community organizations will be allowed to establish secure drop boxes for disposing of unused prescription drugs; final regulations were announced Monday by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This initiative is coming about through the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, legislation co-sponsored by
U.S. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. It should greatly increase the number of drop boxes and, thus, make it more convenient for people to use them. What’s more, people may be more apt to use a box at their local pharmacy than going to a law enforcement agency.
Far too often, friends and family members, especially teens, are able to obtain prescription drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets because those medications were never disposed of properly. While some adults might be inclined to simply flush the medicines down the toilet, health experts warn this practice can have alarming effects on water safety.
Clearly, the best and safest way to dispose of unused medication is to bring it to an official prescription drug disposal site.
In and of itself, prescription-drug abuse is a major problem, but the tragic consequences are magnified when you consider the connection between this type of abuse and heroin use. National studies, in fact, have shown that people who abuse prescription drugs are far more likely to escalate to heroin use.
Of course, convenient drop boxes are a relatively small part of what must an overall strategy to curb abuse, including improving physician prescribing practices and getting those who need help proper treatment. But the public does have a role here and raising awareness of how to help must not be overlooked.
Meeting set
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and Legislator Gwen Johnson and the county’s Health & Human Services Cabinet will host a “Community Forum on Opiates, Heroin and PCP - Drug Addiction & Prevention” from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at Poughkeepsie High School, 70 Forbus St., Poughkeepsie. The meeting will focus prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The Dutchess County Sheriff Office will also have a medication drop box available at the forum from 6- 7p.m. when people can safely and anonymously dispose of unused and expired medication.Renowned cardiologist Dr. Steven Farber shared his battle with drug addiction and his journey to recovery in the book “As Sick As Our Secrets.” Follow this Facebook page for more discussions on drug abuse prevention and therapy.
