We have written much about the prescription drug epidemic facing our nation as well as our local community. Both Missouri and Kansas are affected by the misuse of prescription medications, and though some lawmakers are striving to make changes to combat abuse, the road has been difficult.
As an individual, it might be hard for you to see your place in the fight against prescription drug abuse. One thing you can do involves properly disposing of your prescription medication.
Proper Prescription Drug Disposal
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regularly hosts a prescription drug take-back day to help individuals safely dispose of their unneeded or outdated medications.
The next event is Saturday, October 26. It’s an easy, convenient way to get rid of your prescription medications, preventing friends and family from taking drugs without your knowledge, whether recreationally or accidentally. All you have to do is find your nearest certified collection site and drop off your medications!
Safe Trash Disposal
Can’t find a drop-off near you? Or did you miss the Take-Back deadline? You can dispose of your prescriptions in the trash as long as you follow the proper steps in preparing them.
Here’s what to do: mix whole pills — not crushed ones — with an inedible substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds, and then put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag. From here, bury the bag in your garbage can. Following these steps can prevent animals, kids, and looters from digging in the garbage and accidentally or purposefully stealing prescription drugs.
Bathroom Disposal
Many drugs can be flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink per the Federal Drug Administration. Methadone, oxycontin, Percocet, Dilaudid, and fentanyl patches are among them. You may want to post this in your restroom so you know what prescriptions you can flush and which ones you need to dispose of otherwise.
Partner to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
Proper prescription disposal is just one way you can help prevent prescription drug abuse with your teen. Another method is through prescription drug testing by Test Smartly Labs in the Kansas City area. Our confidential, reliable services can confirm your suspicions about your teen’s drug use or show that they are clean.
IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR TEEN OF EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, WE PROVIDE ACCURATE AND CONFIDENTIAL DRUG TESTING. CALL (816) 800-9699 OR CONTACT TEST SMARTLY LABS TODAY. YOU CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT ANY OF OUR 4 KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS.
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