Health and Fitness : Safely storing and disposing of medications can save lives

The sun is out, the breeze is cool, and you’re recovering from a long winter. Spring, it’s the time of year we all love, and with it comes spring cleaning. As you prepare your home for the warmer months ahead, getting rid of the old and bringing in the new, pay special attention to how you are storing your medications. What may seem routine for many of us is actually a critical point of safety for your family.

Unbeknownst to many, prescription drug abuse is an epidemic affecting our nation’s teens, with misuse and abuse levels on the rise in Iowa. Nearly half of all drug deaths can be attributed to prescription drug abuse, more than all street drugs combined. For teens, it’s the 2nd most abused drug among teens, with a recent nationwide survey finding that nearly a quarter of high school students have abused prescription drugs in some form.

Part of what makes prescription drug abuse so troubling is the lack of understanding of its implications among teens. Surveys have found that nearly half of teens find them to be safer than illegal drugs, a very misguided notion. Abusing prescription drugs is often done in combination with illegal street drugs. In fact, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found very troubling correlations between teen prescription drug abuse, and street drug abuse. Teens who abuse prescription drugs were five times as likely to use marijuana, twice as likely to use alcohol, and anywhere from twelve to twenty times more likely to use other illicit drugs.

How can abuse be this widespread? Simply put, it’s easy to get. Surveys among teen abusers found that 60-70% of them obtained their drugs from home medicine cabinets. Such cabinets are easily accessed and placed in a part of the house with a very high level of privacy. A few missing pills can easily go undetected, especially if expired, excess or un-inventoried medications are stored.

Unlocked medications also represent a risk to young children. Medications disposed of improperly, such as being placed in the trash, left on countertops, or even when placed in easily reached cabinets run the risk of children finding and ingesting them. This can lead to serious health complications including poisonings, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention finding that nearly 90% of poisoning deaths can be attributed to drugs.

There are practical, common sense ways you can ensure your prescriptions are stored safely. For one, count your pills. Keep track of how long bottles should last you and how many should be left. This will make any missing medications stand out. Keep medications locked in a box or pouch, which are available at many pharmacies and general stores. Even things such as cash boxes or fireproof boxes work fine, if locked and placed in a discrete, elevated, and dry location. If unsure of what would work best for you, ask your pharmacist for suggestions.

Finally, once you are ready to dispose your medications, do it properly. Flushing those in the toilet or putting them in the trash represent a safety hazard, and presents harm to the environment. Instead, visit one of the anonymous drug drop off boxes near you, including the one at the Benton County Sheriff's Office.