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Northland Community Encouraged to Bring Their Unwanted Prescription Drugs for Safe Disposal to Protect Community and Youth
Reports from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) reveal that prescription drugs are second only to marijuana as the illegal drug choice of teens seeking to get high.
According to the ONDCP web site, another cause for alarm is that young people, who see the prescription drugs as safer than other substances, are not just getting them from street dealers. More likely, they are securing them from close friends and unknowing family members.
In addition to these concerns, improper disposal of prescription drugs can negatively impact the community at large.
To address this growing area of concern locally, the Kansas City Police Dept. and the volunteers of the Northland Coalition (NC) are partnering to host two opportunities for the community to clean out their medicine cabinets and bring in unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal.
Prevention Services Manager Vicky Ward, Tri-County Mental Health Services, the administrative support for the Northland Coalition, emphasizes the importance of the issue. “Prescriptions are now the major cause of fatal drug overdoses. In fact, that number has tripled from 1999, even overtaking overdoses from heroin and cocaine.”
Ward said that among teens one in five have abused prescription drugs, often easily obtained from their own home medicine cabinet.
Since the Northland Coalition’s mission is to eradicate substance abuse, thereby improving the safety and livability of the Northland communities, Ward said partnering with the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) for the Take Back events made sense.
Kansas City Police Dept. (KCPD) Community Interaction Officer Markus Smith, Shoal Creek Patrol Division, said prescription drug abuse needs to be given much more focus. .
“Everyday I read reports of teens and young adults being arrested for illegal use of prescription drugs. It’s not getting as much attention as we need to give it,”
KCPD Community Interaction Officer Dan Watts, Northland Patrol Division, concurs. “We want to prevent narcotics from finding their way out to the street to adversely affect the community. By partnering with the Northland Coalition to sponsor these Take Back events, we hope to raise awareness of the harm done through prescription abuse and misuse.” Watts emphasized that improper storage and disposal of the drugs can also pollutes water systems and endanger the community.
DATES AND LOCATIONS OF TAKE BACK EVENTS:
Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. NE 82nd Terrace and North Ditzler (across from JC Penney’s near Liberty, Mo.)
Nov 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Zona Rosa Community Area (below Marshall’s) 8690 N. Dixson Ave KCMO 64153
WHAT TO BRING:
- Identification – you must be at least 18 years of age and reside at the address listed on the medications. You may bring medication from anyone living within your household.
- Bring medications in their original packaging from the pharmacy. (Those not in original packaging will take longer to process and inspect.)
- Any medication from a licensed pharmacist will be accepted (controlled substances, liquids containing medications, prescription inhalers and medicated ointments or patches.)
WHAT NOT TO BRING – WON’T BE ACCEPTED
- Do not bring medication from anyone not residing in your home
- Do not bring illicit drugs (e.g. cocaine, marijuana, etc.) KCPD asks that anyone finding illicit drugs call 911 and ask for an officer to respond to the location.
- Not accepted: sharp objects, including needles, radioactive medicines, bio-hazardous materials or glass thermometers or other medical devices.
- No medications from businesses such as pharmacies and/or doctors’ offices will be accepted. Only medications from individuals can be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
For further information about the events, contact the Northland Coalition, (816) 877-0498.
Tri-County Mental Health Services, 3100 NE 83rd St., Suite 1001, Kansas City, MO 64119-9998
Telephone: (816) 468-0400 Fax: (816) 468-6635 • 24-Hour Emergency Service Crisis Line 1-888-279-8188
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