Follow and join the conversation with #TakeBackDay and #SecureYourMeds.
According to the DEA, too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. Each year the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (@deahq) addresses this crucial public safety and public health issue. This week’s Friday Five focuses on the facts and events surrounding the day and how you can participate.
Quiz Time! Proper Drug Disposal
Many people who misuse prescription drugs get them from family, friends, and acquaintances. You can make a difference by properly disposing your unused medication. There are a few ways you can do this; but do you know them? Test your knowledge by taking the quiz.
#DYK many people who misuse Rx meds, get them from friends, family, & acquaintances. Help others around you & properly dispose your unneeded medications. Do you know the proper way to dispose your meds? Take the quiz! #TakeBackDay #TipTuesdayhttps://t.co/mncX5Epzdw pic.twitter.com/zaQlv13zZq
— DEA HQ (@DEAHQ) October 19, 2021
Collection Site Locator
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Use the DEA’s Collection Site Locator to find Collection Sites near you.
Opioids have many names. Check medicine cabinets for unused oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine and fentanyl. Bring unwanted meds to our Crush the Crisis event on Oct. 23 | 10A – 2P.
Learn more at https://t.co/6oPqXKMwiN. #CrushTheCrisis #TakeBackDay #HealthierTomorrows pic.twitter.com/wikEu3pyzG— @valleymedcenter (@valleymedcenter) October 20, 2021
#SecureYourMeds
Want to help a loved one stay in recovery? Lock up your meds, and properly dispose of expired & unused meds. Small simple things can have BIG impacts, they can even SAVE a life! Find take back box: https://t.co/ndZUcnIiE1 #NationalRecoveryMonth #SecureYourMeds #endoverdose https://t.co/mXb6mN5eqM
— Prevention Works Arkansas (@Healthy_Region6) September 21, 2021
Up and Away
According to the CDC, toddlers can be harmed if they get into medicines when no adult is watching. Approximately 50,000 children younger than 5 years old go to emergency departments each year for an ADE.(3)
About 50,000 children younger than 5 years old go to #emergency depts. each yr. because they took medication without adult supervision. Emergency visits can be prevented: Always put medicines #UpAndAway after each use. More: https://t.co/xVbten52FY #PrepYourHealth #TakeBackDay pic.twitter.com/9LJ9Ku46LG
— CDC Emergency (@CDCemergency) October 21, 2021
Year Round Pharmaceutical Disposal Locations
Can’t make it on Saturday, 10/23? DEA Authorized Collectors provide year round drop off locations to the public to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals. Use their search tool to find the location nearest you.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
