Each
year, communities across the country offer to collect residents’ unused
medications as part of the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Initiative,
sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Four years ago, the St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Department of Aging
& Human Services, started a door-to-door medication collection for homebound
residents.
The
Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Aging & Human Services had recognized
that, while many residents are able to
take advantage of the convenient 24/7
medication drop boxes situated in the Sheriff’s Office lobby, there is a segment
of county residents unable to access this service: the homebound. Persons who
are homebound due to age or mobility issues, do not always have the proper means
to dispose of their unused medications, creating a situation that can make them
vulnerable criminal targets.
The
collection of medications, both through the homebound pick-up and convenient
drop boxes, benefits public safety by decreasing the supply of controlled dangerous substances available for
misuse, abuse, diversion, and accidental ingestion. The disposal methods used by
the Sheriff’s Office also protect the environment from potentially harmful
contaminants by providing a proper, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
approved, means of disposal.
During
the National Take-Back Initiative, held Saturday, April 29, Deputy First Class
Josh Krum, assisted in collecting a total of 7,235 pills from homebound
residents. Also, 15,918 pills totaling sixty pounds was collected during National Take Back day
through the sheriff’s office drop boxes.
“This
type of collaboration not only prevents medications from falling into the wrong
hands, but it further serves to protect our elderly citizens from becoming
targets of crime,” said Sheriff Tim Cameron. “We are thankful for our agency’s
relationships with our partners, the Department of Aging & Human Services
and the community.”
The
take-back initiative is a coordinated effort across St. Mary’s County. It
includes education about proper use and storage of medication; prescription drug
monitoring programs; proper disposal of medication; and enforcement against offenders.
Since
the drop boxes were installed, the St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has collected well over one million pills.
Sheriff
Cameron expresses his gratitude to citizens for recognizing the importance of
properly disposing of unused medications and thanks residents for their
exceptional participation in the initiative.
