In the effort to reduce this problem, a CVS pharmacy in Montana has announced that it will accept any medications for safe disposal. A Dec. 3 Great Falls Tribune article provided the following details about the drug disposal program:
People can bring their unwanted medications to CVS Pharmacy in the Holiday Village Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The drugs will be disposed of at no cost, and no questions will be asked of anyone bringing in prescription medications.
The goal of the event is to keep prescription drugs out of the hands of people who might abuse them, health department spokeswoman Kate Marone said.
"A lot of it has to do with prescription-drug abuse becoming such a big problem," she said. "This is a safe way to get rid of (prescription drugs)."
As of 2008, 2.9 percent of children and teenagers ages 12 to 17 nationwide reported nonmedical use of prescription medications, according to the health department. Of those, 62 percent of teenagers claim that they are abusing prescription medications from their parents' medicine cabinets.
Labels: prevention, prescription drugs
Posted By: Aspen/CRC