Thursday, 07 May 2020 13:48
By StatePoint | Families Today
Photo provided. Photo provided.

With many Americans asked to stay at home to help curb the impact of COVID-19, there is a higher risk of potential prescription drug abuse or prescription drugs accidentally falling into the wrong hands, like those of children.

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Abuse, more than 9.9 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. Additionally, more than 70 percent of individuals who illegally use prescription pain relievers obtained them through their friends or family, including through the home medicine cabinet.

To help those at home prevent prescription drug abuse and dispose of unwanted medications in a safe, environmentally responsible way, Susan Peppers, Express Scripts vice president of pharmacy practice, is sharing the following tips:

• Keep drugs secure and out of reach.
Medications should be stored in a locked area, out of children’s reach, with narcotics and other potentially addictive drugs stored in another secure location. If this is not an option, a lock should be added to the medicine cabinet and the key secured.

• Track treatments. 
It is recommended to maintain a master list of the medications stored at home, especially for individuals with a potential for abuse. That list should include the medication name, the doctor’s name who prescribed it, the dosage and the medication’s potential side effects. Periodically, caregivers should count the medications remaining in the container and make sure it is the correct amount according to the prescribed dosage. Pill boxes with dividers for each day's medicines are also a good way to track usage.

• Do not share medication. 
Medication prescribed to one individual is not for anyone else, even if that person is showing similar symptoms. Not only is sharing medication with someone else illegal, but it could lead to dangerous drug interactions and serious side effects due to potential allergies and wrong dosages, among other reasons. If an individual has taken medication that was not prescribed to them, they should contact their doctor.

Dispose of unwanted drugs properly. 
Individuals should follow specific disposal instructions on the label, if provided. Otherwise, they can check the Food and Drug Administration Flush List to see if they can flush the medicine down the toilet. If that is not an option, individuals can mix the medication with an undesirable substance like used coffee grounds, cat litter or sawdust, place the mixture in a sealable bag and dispose of it in the trash. Medication containers should be stripped of all personal information prior to placing them in the trash or recycling.

Note that once guidelines are lifted for staying home, individuals can visit the Drug Enforcement Administration website to locate a collection site near them as another way to dispose of prescription medications safely.

As everyone is spending more time at home, remembering these simple steps can go a long way to help individuals protect their family against prescription drug abuse.

Read 491 times

Blotter

  • New York State Police The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Heather DiCaprio sold property at 473 Garrett Rd to Justine Levine for $288,000 Sharon Willman sold property at 99 Jenkins Rd to Charles Lemley for $165,000 CORINTH George Montena sold property at 422 Oak St to Stephen James for $142,250 Mark Makler sold property at 313 Oak St to Sabrina Sinagra for $195,000 GREENFIELD Landlord Services of Upstate New York sold property at 1935 NYS Rt 9N to Cochise Properties LLC for $210,000 MALTA  Linda LaBarge sold property at 35 Snowberry Rd to Qu Haozheng for $270,000 Dennis Mitchell sold property at 60 Village Circle North to BGRS Relocation…
  • NYPA
  • Saratoga County Chamber
  • BBB Accredited Business
  • Discover Saratoga
  • Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association