Health district supports second drug take back bill

The Central Kitsap Reporter published an article yesterday regarding the need for a safe prescription medication disposal system in Washington state, and Kitsap County in particular. County law enforcement says its resources are "strained" by the collection and disposal of prescription drugs. The Kitsap Public Health District believes that pharmaceutical companies should take on the cost burden.

The passing of Senate Bill 5234 would establish a safe drug collection and disposal program funded by the drug manufacturers themselves, and the health district's board of directors and the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office give their full support to this bill.

Scott Daniels, deputy director for Kitsap Public Health District explained that unused prescription medications around the home are responsible for 32 percent of child poisoning deaths in the state. Prescription medications left in homes contribute to teenage drug abuse and street sales as well as home burglaries, according to deputy Scott Wilson, spokesman for the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.

The session closes in two weeks, and Kitsap County officials are still trying to get more support for the bill.

For more information see the Central Kitsap Reporter article here.

Son's death prompts parents to fight for new Rx drug law

A Granite Falls couple, who lost their son to a drug overdose, is crusading for a law which would require pharmacies to take back unused prescription drugs. KOMO News covered their story today.

Because they're relatively easy to obtain from home medicine cabinets, authorities say more and more young people are experimenting with prescription drugs.

There are currently drug take-back programs in 17 of Washington's 39 counties, but they are voluntary and only police departments can take back narcotics.

The bill is still alive in the Senate and will be closing in two weeks. For more information, visit the Take Back Your Meds website

The Columbian editorial: Danger in Your Cabinet

The Columbian posted an editorial yesterday regarding the push for a state-wide secure medicine return bill to safely dispose of old prescription drugs that collect dust in medicine cabinets across the state. Lawmakers would be wise to expedite the measures for many reasons, but two in particular: this is not another government program, and it's budget neutral. The Columbian gives their support for Senate Bill 5234 and House Bill 1370, which legislatures will vote on next week.

To read the article in its entirety and for more information, read it here.

Prevention Summit & DEA Drug Take-Back Day held in Yakima

The 2011 Washington State Prevention Summit was held at the Yakima Convention Center on Oct. 28 and 29. The goal of the Prevention Summit was to inspire both kids and adults in our community to help put an end to drug and substance abuse in Washington state.

KNDO-TV in Yakima stopped by on Friday afternoon to see kids and adults rallying outside the convention center to help spread the word about the importance of drug and alcohol abuse prevention. Jim Cooper, president of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention, and Margaret Shield from the Take Back Your Meds coalition both spoke at the event.

In addition to the Prevention Summit, on Oct. 29 law enforcement agencies throughout Yakima County participated in the nationwide DEA Drug Take-Back Day. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. there were various prescription and over-the-counter drug take-back locations setup throughout the county. Hundreds and hundreds of pills were collected for safe and proper disposal.

DEA Take Back Day sucessfully collects hundreds of pounds in unused medicine

The Drug Enforcement Agency's National Drug Take Back Day went over very well in Western Washington. At several locations across the area many prescription drugs were collected, preventing potential environmental damage and making our medicine cabinets a little safer.

While the day was a great success, Take Back Your Meds is still working to get a permanent take-back program instated which will place the financial responsibility on pharmaceutical companies instead of tax payers.