The American Medicine Chest Challenge

Collier Co., FL: Letter to Editor - Teaming up for safety again

Teaming up for safety again

Editor, Daily News:

Prescription drug abuse is a major problem in our country with upwards of 9 million people abusing prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes; 70 percent of people who abuse prescription pain relievers indicated they got them from friends or relatives

In November 2010, Drug Free Collier, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Naples Police Department proudly participated in the American Medicine Chest Challenge, a national public-health initiative to address the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and provide a safe and secure way for residents to dispose of their unused, unwanted and expired medicine. Residents of Collier joined hundreds of thousands Americans throughout the country who participated in this program that resulted in over 10 tons of unused and expired medicine being collected.

We encourage all residents of Collier to take the 5-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge, which includes taking inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine, securing your medicine chest, disposing of the unused, unwanted and expired medicine, taking your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed and talking to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, because they are listening.

On April 30, the Drug Enforcement Administration will provide another opportunity for residents to dispose of their unused, unwanted and expired medicines during the National Drug Take Back Day. Locations of local collection sites can be found at www.drugfreecollier, www.deadiversion.com and www.AmericanMedicineChest.Com.

Taking these five simple steps will help protect our children and grandchildren.

— Veora Little , C.R.N.A

Volunteer coordinator,

Operation Medicine Cabinet