[Pharmwaste] Spring-clean your home's medicine chest - collection program in FL

[Tenace, Laurie]

Naples Daily News Sunday, March 18, 2007
Guest commentary: Spring-clean your home's medicine chest
By AMANDA SMITH, Special to the Daily News

Do you know what "Operation Medicine Cabinet" is and why it's so important?
You'll know by the end of this essay.
Studies show that one in five teenagers has abused a prescription painkiller
and that the medication was obtained from their parents' or grandparents'
medicine cabinet. Household members, including teenagers known as "Generation
Rx," achieve an easy high from prescription medications. In fact, every third
day in 2005 a juvenile in Collier County went to the hospital as a result of
a drug or alcohol overdose. Startling statistic!
Failure to dispose of expired or unused prescription medications may result
in their falling into the wrong hands. Improper disposal of prescription
medications, such as flushing or throwing them in the trash, will result in
harm to humans and pets. In fact, improper disposal of medications can even
cause contamination to Florida's aquatic environment.
In an effort to prevent abuse of prescription medications and protect the
environment, the Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County, a
not-for-profit organization committed to providing a drug-free community for
our youth, will be hosting "Operation Medicine Cabinet." This event is a
county-wide initiative that encourages citizens to bring their unused and/or
expired prescriptions to designated community parks and community centers to
safely dispose of them. Each designated site will be supervised by a local
law enforcement official (Collier County Sheriff's Office, Marco Island
Police Department, and Naples Police Department) who will be responsible for
accepting the medication for proper disposal.
The Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County is urging citizens to
participate in "Operation Medicine Cabinet." This free event will be held on
March 24 from 8 a.m. to noon at the following locations:
* North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Rd., North Naples
* Immokalee Sports Complex, 505 Escambia St., Immokalee
* East Naples Community Park, 3500 Thomasson Dr., East Naples
* Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Golden Gate
* Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples
* Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island
* Fleischmann Community Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples
In addition to providing proper disposal of medications, the Substance Abuse
Coalition will be distributing prevention materials and promotional items.
Individuals who bring prescription medications to "Operation Medicine
Cabinet," on March 24 for proper disposal will be eligible for a prize
drawing at noon and participants need not be present for the announcement.
Prescription drugs that are abused or used for non-medical reasons can alter
brain activity, lead to dependence, masking or misdiagnosis of serious
illness, life-threatening circumstances and death. Commonly abused classes of
prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat pain), central
nervous system depressants (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep
disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and
obesity). Preventing or stopping prescription drug abuse is an important part
of maintaining quality health care.

It's time to spring-clean your medicine cabinets, Collier County! The
Substance Abuse Coalition urges you to bring your unused or expired
medication on March 24 from 8 a.m. to noon to "Operation Medicine Cabinet" in
an effort to protect our youth and our environment. For more information
please contact the Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County at 377-0535 or
visit www.drugfreecollier.org
- - -
Amanda Smith is the executive director of the Substance Abuse Coalition of
Collier County.


Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

Mercury web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




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