Prescription “Take Back” Program Sept. 1 at Ray’s

Program  safely disposes of excess prescription drugs

By Marta Nielson
Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Community Coalition Director

The “Medication Take Back” monthly program continues next Wednesday, September 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ray’s Pharmacy located in “Templin’s Square” at 68 North Beach Road in  Eastsound

The Take Back Program initiative was begun with a partnership between the San Juan Sheriff’s Office and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.  Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas, Friday Harbor Drug and the Lopez Pharmacy are all joining in to help with this important program that addresses the need to have a safe way to dispose of excess prescription drugs.  The Lopez Island Prevention Coalition and Orcas Island Prevention Partnership are also helping to get the word out and encourage all Islanders to take part.

Take Back Programs are beginning nationwide to offer a safe place for citizens to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.  The problems surrounding the disposal of prescription drugs is two fold.  These chemicals are highly toxic to the environment when flushed or washed down the drain, but, if kept at home beyond their prescribed usage time, they can fall into the wrong hands.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, young adults age 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse, followed by teens ages 12 to 17. The Washington State 2008 Healthy Youth Survey showed San Juan County 10^th graders at rates almost doubling that of the state average, when queried about using pain killers, such as Vicodin and/or Oxycontin to get high in the past 30 days.  Nationally, 71,000 children under the age of 18 are seen every year in emergency rooms due to unintentional prescription or over the counter medication overdoses.

Orcas Island residents can “take back” their unneeded prescription drugs to Ray’s Pharmacy on the first Wednesday of every month.  For more information, please contact Cara Gresham, Prevention Intern at 360-378-9683, or Marta Nielson, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership at 376-1547.