[Pharmwaste] The least mentioned benifit of take back

[Ed Gottlieb]

The fight against the opioid epidemic is always cited when take back is discussed.

Environmental contamination is often highlighted when take back is discussed.

Poisonings are only occasionally mentioned when discussing take back.



STAT reported on a disturbing new study that should inspire more of us to mention reducing poisonings as an additional benefit of take back.  Though the abstract did not specify what percent of poisonings were from pharmaceuticals, other studies have shown pharmaceuticals are the most common cause.

"More teenagers are poisoning themselves in suicide attempts.  There was a more than twofold increase in the rate of suspected self-poisoning suicide cases between 2011 and 2018, according to a new study<https://statnews.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f8609630ae206654824f897b6&id=b1fb78a686&e=61b58803fc> that looked at more than 1.6 million such cases. Here’s what else you need to know:

  *   Overall trends: Cases of suicide attempts by self-poisoning doubled in those aged 10-18 between 2011 and 2018, rising from around 39,000 to more than 78,000.

  *   Gender: More girls than boys attempted suicide by self-poisoning. The rate of intentional attempts among girls 10-18 also steadily increased from 2011-2018.

  *   Outcomes: The number of serious outcomes — including death and hospitalizations — as a result of the poisoning increased 235% between 2000 and 2018, and more than 1,400 children died. "

https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(19)30277-X/fulltext?utm_source=STAT+Newsletters&utm_campaign=99b9312718-MR_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-99b9312718-149620549

Ed Gottlieb

Chair, Tompkins County Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY  14850
(607) 273-8381<tel:(607)%20273-8381>


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