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Residents of the St. Louis area will be able to get rid of unwanted and outdated prescription drugs from dozens of local police this Saturday.
The National Prescription Drug Takeover Day, held twice a year in several cities across the country, aims to reduce the use of prescription drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, which is spearheading the program, estimates that it has collected more than 9.9 million pounds of prescription drugs since 2010.
Brandon Costerison, of the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction in St. Louis, said many people felt "helpless and confused" when it came to safely getting rid of prescription drugs.
The arrival of prescription drugs in the toilet contaminates rivers, lakes and drinking water. Experts also recommend not throwing drugs in the garbage cans, as young children can find them and eat them by accident.
Without a convenient way to get rid of the medications, Costerison said, people could put them away in their medicine cabinet, where they could fall into the wrong hands.
"Most people do not know when a friend or family member has a substance-related disorder and they may inadvertently contribute by making these drugs available," he said.
More than half of the 10.7 million people who use prescription pain relievers each year report receiving these medications from a friend or family member.
Amy Tiemeier, associate professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, said that getting rid of old or unnecessary prescription medications can also help prevent accidental poisoning.
"The fewer medications you have in your home, the fewer children or pets you will have," said Tiemeier. "You can even have an elderly person at home who could try taking a medication at night and accidentally pick up the wrong thing."
The DEA Drug Recovery Program, which began in 2008, is free and anonymous. Residents are encouraged to drop their pills and patches to approved locations – no questions asked.
The program can not accept needles, sharp objects or liquid medications.
Residents who miss Day Medications can also dispose of prescription drugs anonymously at permanent drug disposal sites in the St. Louis area.
If you are going to:
National Prescription Drug Day
Or: Police stations in the Saint-Louis region, list available here
When: Saturday October 27th from 10am to 2pm
Cost: Free
If you or someone you know is dealing with an addiction, contact SAMHSA's National Helpline Service (Addiction and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or locally at the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Addiction in the Saint-Louis region (NCADA) at 314-962-3456.
Follow Shahla on Twitter: @shahlafarzan
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