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.

Medical Teams International Names New CEO

The board of directors of Medical Teams International announced Wednesday that Bas Vanderzalm will retire as President and CEO. Vanderzalm will step down as CEO on June 20, 2012 and will stay on as President through June 30, 2013. As President, Vanderzalm will focus on leading teams to the field, speaking on behalf of the organization, writing, and providing advice and counsel to the incoming CEO.

"During Bas' 14-plus years at Medical Teams International, the organization has grown to be one of the most respected Christian global health agencies in the country," said Ron King, chair of the board of Medical Teams International.

To ensure the organization continues to build on its solid foundation of service around the world, the board of directors has elected Jeff Pinneo to serve as the agency's next Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2012. Pinneo, retired CEO and President of Horizon Air, will engage with Vanderzalm in a several month transition as "CEO-elect" leading up to the July 1 effective date.

"The staff and volunteers of Medical Teams International have earned their reputation as one of the world's leading global health and disaster response organizations," Pinneo said. "It will be my privilege to lead and serve them as they further extend their reach and impact, to the benefit of the world's most marginalized people."

Jeff Pinneo,CEO-elect of Medical Teams International