The American Medicine Chest Challenge

On April 30th, under the direction of Community Connections' Prevention Without Borders initiative, and in cooperation with local community coalitions, law enforcement agencies and support from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), hundred of pounds of drugs were 'given back' in communities across southern West Virginia.  From the hills of Pocahontas to the rugged valleys of McDowell, area volunteers participated in the nationally sponsored "Take Back" program to get unwanted drugs out of the medicine cabinet and off the streets.

Jennifer Orren, Coordinator of the initative commented that, "We are extremely excited to see our local communities come together in such a collaboration!  Although this "Take Back" day marked the first for many counties, we think its a great stepping stone for other prevention based initaitves on the local level."

Orren, along with other volunteers, reminded folks within our area that most common prescription drugs come from family and friends.

Although this was the second time that the DEA has sponsored a "Take Back" event, the American Medicine Chest Challenge Campaign is also designed to help get drugs back off of the streets and incenerated properly.

"We would like for our communties to do one of these every three months," said Orren.  "It's a great time for our groups to mobilize and keep the problems of misuse and crime associated with prescription drugs in people's minds for the entire year."

The DEA reminds everyone that...

Unused or expired Rx medications area a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.

Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor's supervision.

The non-medical use of Rx drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in the US.

The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs got them from family and friends, with the home medicine cabinet a primary source.

Unused drugs thrown in the trash in their bottles can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold.  Proper disposal of unused prescription drugs can save lives.  

Take-back programs are the best way to dispose of old drugs. But if a program is not available:   Take the meds out of their bottles; mix them with something unappealing like used kittly litter or coffee grounds; seal them in a bag or disposable container, and throw that away.

For more information on "Take Back" programs, visit www.dea.gov or http://www.americanmedicinechest.com/