Apr. 14--It seems a shame to have large amounts of unused and expensive prescription drugs and have to throw them out.
But that is the safest thing to do, says David Hale, agent-in-charge with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.
Giving prescriptions to other people is not a good idea. "Technically, that's illegal," Hale said.
For one thing, you never know if somebody might be allergic to a specific medication. And some antibiotics become toxic after a while, Hale said.
So what do you do with unused prescription drugs?
In observance of Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Week, the state Bureau of Narcotics is offering a statewide pharmaceutical take-back program from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Other programs will be available throughout the year.
The bureau also will take old prescriptions at its Tulsa office, 6216 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 195, any time.
The Metropolitan Environmental Trust will accept old prescriptions at its Pollutant Collection event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, Gate 7, 15th Street and Sandusky Avenue.
After Thursday's event, the bureau will incinerate the drugs, Hale said.
"Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in Oklahoma," said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the state bureau. "It's unnecessary and unsafe to leave outdated drugs in the house. Old, expired medications left in the home can be targeted by users.
"Teenagers also target their parents' current
or expired prescription drugs to abuse, trade or sell in order to obtain alcohol, marijuana or other drugs."
Officials used to recommend flushing the drugs, but there are concerns about them leeching into the water supply, he said.
Hale urged people to check their cabinets for unneeded or expired prescriptions.
"People don't think about it. But kids take them and put them in a big bowl and grab a handful. It might be blood pressure medication or sleeping pills. They don't even know what they are," he said. Young people and others who might snoop into your medicine cabinet could die from ingesting the wrong drugs or a fatal mixture, Hale said.
"We just want to make sure they know of the inherent dangers," he said.
Pharmaceutical take-back program
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday
Who: The public is encouraged to bring unused drugs; no hospitals, physicians or doctors' offices please
What: Bring any prescribed medications for disposal. Don't bring syringes, liquids or inhalers
Where: Various sites statewide; in Tulsa County, 7515 Riverside Drive, Tulsa Police Department's Riverside Division
For a full list of sites, go to tulsaworld.com/drugtakeback Kim Archer 581-8315
kim.archer@tulsaworld.com
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