Drug Take Back Scheduled for January 20 Gives Southern Nevada Residents the Opportunity to Safely Dispose of Unused Prescription & Over the Counter (OTC) Medications

January 10, 2018
Roseman University

The start of the New Year is an opportune time for families to clear their medicine cabinets of unused and expired medications. To help, the PACT Coalition, CARE Coalition, Roseman University DAAT and other Southern Nevada partners have teamed up for a community-wide prescription drug take back day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 20.

Unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs may be dropped off anonymously and with no-questions-asked for safe disposal during the one-day, event at select locations:

  • Sun City Summerlin (Desert Vista Social Hall parking lot)-  10360 Sun City Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89134
  • The Center– 401 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV
  • Albertsons– 1001 South Rainbow, Las Vegas
  • Albertsons– 201 South Stephanie Street, Henderson
  • Smith’s– 2211 North Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
  • Smith’s– 10100 West Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas NV
  • Henderson City Hall- 240 S. Water Street, Henderson, NV

NOTE: Prescription drugs may be dropped off in their original containers with patient information blacked out.

“We encourage all residents to look through their medicine cabinets and join us to safely dispose of any old or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications,” said Jamie Ross, executive director of the PACT Coalition. “We want to keep these medications from being misused, especially by our young people.”

The misuse and abuse of prescription and OTC medications are, second only to marijuana and alcohol, as the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older. A study published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported the classes of prescription drugs most commonly abused are: opioid pain relievers, such as Vicodin® or Oxycontin®; stimulants for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Adderall®, Concerta®, or Ritalin®; and central nervous system (CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety, such as Valium® or Xanax®. The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan which are particularly dangerous when consumed with alcohol.

“People often think that prescription and OTC drugs are safer than illicit drugs,” said Krystal Riccio, associate professor of pharmacy at Roseman University’s College of Pharmacy “However, they can be just as addictive and dangerous as illicit drugs and put users at risk for other adverse health effects, including overdose.”

According to the Partnership of Drug Free Kids, two thirds (66%) of teens who report abusing prescription pain relievers are getting them from friends, family or acquaintances.  Which is why the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recommends regularly cleaning out home medicine cabinets and safely disposing of unwanted drugs and medications. In addition, it is critical to limit access to medications by securing them in the home and monitoring pill quantities.

It’s important that parents receive support from relatives, friends and other community members. From local real estate professionals safeguarding open houses to health care providers and patient advocacy groups, prevention is a group effort which depends greatly on the collaboration of several key stakeholders. Visit drugfreelasvegas.com for more information.

Author
Joslyn Hatfield
Marketing Communications Specialist
Roseman University of Health Sciences