Old meds dumped during Drug Take Back Day

  • Published
  • By Wayne Cheatum
  • 96th Medical Support Squadron
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  More than125 military beneficiaries brought their expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to the satellite pharmacy parking lot for destruction during the base's National Drug Take Back Day Oct. 29.

The joint effort between the pharmacy, security forces and the drug enforcement agency reaped 312 pounds of unwanted medication from Eglin personnel; drugs that were languishing in patients' medicine cabinets.

"This was a great event for the safety and public health of our community," said Capt. Quan Tram, pharmacist and one of the coordinators for this event. "We prevented these drugs from reaching potential abusers and misusers. It was one of the biggest collection efforts in the Air Force."

One donor brought several grocery bags of expired medications including a lot of narcotic drugs that had been left over when a family member passed away about a year ago.

Prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest growing problems in America. Most Americans are unaware medicines that are left in home cabinets are highly susceptible to theft, misuse and abuse. Federal officials reported that 70 percent of people in the U.S who abuse prescription drugs such as narcotic painkillers get their supply from friends and family members.

Security forces turned over 10 boxes and five full garbage bags to the DEA for incineration in an environmentally-safe incinerator.
The event also gave the pharmacy staff the opportunity to educate people on the proper disposal of their unwanted drugs.

For years, health care professionals have told people to flush their leftover medications down the toilet to keep them away from children and drug abusers. However, the practice of flushing has created an environmental hazard.

Research has found that traces of these medications, including antibiotics, hormones and antidepressants, are showing up in rivers and lakes, some of which serve as drinking water supplies.

A nationwide study by the U.S. Geological Survey found pharmaceuticals in 80 percent of U.S. streams. The pharmacy staff handed out an instructional flyer giving specific instructions on how to properly dispose of drugs in an environmentally-safe manner.