Note: While H7N9 has been the big story for the past three weeks in Flublogia – and seems poised to remain so for some time - thus far it hasn’t shown any signs of ongoing or efficient human-to-human transmission.
As H7N9 isn’t the only topic worthy of attention, starting today I’ll be returning to my regular - somewhat more eclectic format - and try to slip some non-H7N9 content into the mix each day.
That said, I anticipate that H7N9 will continue to grab the lion’s share of this blog’s space for the foreseeable future.
# 7177
Every year millions of pills are dispensed in the United States that – for a variety of reasons – never get taken by the person for whom they were intended.
Sometimes a doctor changes a prescription, or a patient simply doesn’t take their meds. Often a patient dies with a medicine cabinet full of pills (a situation I was faced with last year with the death of my father).
Whatever the reason, these drugs pose a serious threat, both to people, and to the environment.
Too often, they end up flushed down the drain, or tossed into the trash, only to end up contaminating rivers and streams.
And while most parents worry about the use of so-called `street drugs’, Increasingly. misappropriated prescription drugs are ending up in the hands of teenagers, and are being used recreationally.
Which brings us to a survey, released today, that shows:
National study: Teen misuse and abuse of prescription drugs up 33 percent since 2008
Public release date: 23-Apr-2013
New, nationally projectable survey results released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation confirmed that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime -- a 33 percent increase over the past five years.
For many, the dilemma is how to properly dispose of these pills. To this end, the National Take Back Initiative was created by the DEA, in conjunction local law enforcement agencies, to provide a safe place to anonymously take these drugs.
NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE
Upcoming Take-Back Day — April 27, 2013
(10:00AM - 2:00PM)The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
In the five previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.
The DOJ website has a handy search engine where you can locate a take back facility near you.
