Give them back

Friday, October 21, 2011

Several local communities are taking part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 29, and you should participate if you have unwanted prescriptions.

Here’s the drill: Anyone wanting to dispose of drugs that have expired or are no longer needed or wanted can bring them to their local drop off point. In Bedford, the Police Department will collect unwanted or expired medications at 55 Constitution Drive.

This might seem a small thing. Why not throw them into the garbage? Because, generally, people don’t, and in 2009, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found more than 7 million Americans abuse prescription drugs.

How will suggesting that they bring them to the police fight that abuse? Awareness. Really, that’s what any anti-drug abuse program is about. You have to get people thinking.

Or perhaps a relative or friend will help them.

By holding a program like the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, officials create a climate of awareness, and that’s never a bad thing.

The cool thing here is that it’s painless to participate (i.e., easy). All you have to do is collect the medicines you no longer need, jump into the car and drive to that point. Your friendly local police officer, or perhaps someone else but equally friendly, will collect them from you and dispose of them properly.

As you drive home, perhaps you can ponder the whole concept of prescription drugs: Are you taking too many? Are you forgetting about them and leaving them around where kids can find them? That’s dangerous.

So, if you have some, get involved this time.

Can’t hurt.