Tacoma News Tribune Editorial

On Monday morning, Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor, Magaret Shield from Take Back Your Meds, and Dr. Anthony Chen of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department sat down at the Tacoma News Tribune with the editorial board. They came up with this great editorial. Check it out here.

Prescription Drug Take Back Coverage

Phuong Le did a story for the Associated Press on the state-wide prescription drug take back bill (SB 5234). The story can be found in the following places:

The Seattle Times
The Tacoma News Tribune
Seattle PI
Tri-City Herald
MSNBC
KOMO News
KIRO TV
KEPR TV
The Bellingham Herald

Take Back Your Meds coverage

There was a lot of great coverage over the weekend regarding the state-wide secure medicine return bill (SB 5234) that is alive in the Senate. It will be decided by Feb. 14th if it passes through the Rules Committee and makes it to the Senate floor.

Everett Herald on the prevention of drug abuse and accidental poisoning

The Columbian health reporter on why pharmaceutical companies are opposing this much-needed bill

The Olympian featuring an op-ed on the critical legislation for disposing unused and unwanted meds

King 5 covered a couple pushing for a drug takeback program in Washington after losing their son

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.

Enterprise Washington teams up with The 2012 Project

Enterprise Washington announced yesterday, Nov. 9, it is partnering with The 2012 Project to inspire women with experience in the private sector to run for the Washington State Legislature.   

“We are extremely excited to partner with The 2012 Project to help professional women who are interested in running for public office succeed,” said Erin McCallum, president of Enterprise Washington.

 The 2012 Project is a national, nonpartisan campaign sponsored by the Center for American Women and Politics to identify and engage accomplished women aged 45 and up from industries that are currently underrepresented in state legislatures and in Congress. Enterprise Washington is actively recruiting candidates in over 25 legislative districts in Washington state, connecting professional women who are interested in taking the next steps toward a potential candidacy with training and leadership programs, fundraising networks and political support organizations that can help them succeed.

Nationally, The 2012 Project aims to take advantage of new and open seats that will be created as a result of redistricting. Women now only comprise 17 percent of Congress and 23 percent of state legislatures. This underrepresentation of women in public office does not accurately represent a nation whose population is more than half female.

 With this new partnership, Enterprise Washington will continue to help companies and employees better understand how elected officials establish public policy, and how to become more involved in the political process.

 “There is so much talent out there in our state,” said Cathy Allen, one of Washington state’s top political strategists. “If business leaders encourage their female colleagues to run, they have a great chance of winning.”

Check out this video for more information about The 2012 Project.