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TRICARE Management Activity supports DEA’s National Take Back Initiative

  • Published
  • By 87th Medical Support Squadron
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The prescription drug National Take Back Initiative is being observed April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at many police departments, universities, hospitals and military installations across America.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is collecting prescription drugs at the Exchange and 5165 Maryland Avenue on Dix. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is providing collection services for this initiative.

This one-day initiative, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, provides a venue for people to safely dispose of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs. TRICARE Management Activity is supporting this initiative and encourages all Military Health System beneficiaries to participate.

This initiative addresses a vital public health and safety issue. According to the DEA, many people are not aware medicines left at home are highly susceptible to diversion , misuse and abuse. In fact, Partnership for a Drug Free America reports each day approximately 2,500 teens get high for the first time using prescription drugs. Additionally, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Another public health issue this program addresses is it discourages people from flushing medications down their toilets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, drugs improperly disposed of in this manner wind up in rivers and lakes where they can harm aquatic life and contaminate the water supply.

As part of this take back initiative, prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications (i.e. tablets and capsules) are accepted. Intra-venous solutions, injectables and needles will not be accepted. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

The first National Take Back initiative was held September 25, 2010. This effort was a "huge success", with approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participating. According to the DEA, the American public turned in more than 121 tons of pills that day. A similar program in 2009 entitled "Operation Medicine Cabinet" was launched by more than 400 police departments and other law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey and collected 9,000 pounds of expired, unwanted pills, pain killers, anti-depressants and other medications. That is 4.5 tons of medications that if sold on the street, would have had a value of roughly $35 million.

Prescription medicine abuse is fairly common . Although illicit prescription use is a serious situation in itself, abuse could lead down a path to abusing illegal and inexpensive street drugs, such as heroin.

According to Maj. Glenn Laird, 87th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander, everyone should be encouraged to take part in this worthwhile endeavor to safeguard Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Warriors and their dependents against unintentional over use, or abuse of these potentially fatal medications.

To find a collection site, go to: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html