Letter: National Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 23

keyboard

Recently, the DEA announced a renewed focus on an on-going epidemic in our community — opioid abuse and overdose. While illicit drugs such as heroin and fentanyl are certainly driving the opioid crisis in Illinois and our community, legal medications significantly contribute to opioid abuse and addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 86% of injection drug users had abused prescription medications prior to using heroin. In almost every case, they reported getting the prescription medication from family, friends or a personal prescription.

In my practice, it is common to hear that patients will share their prescription medications with others. While it may seem harmless, it also can easily lead to addiction and possible overdose. It’s better to safely dispose of any unused medications, but often patients do not know what to do with leftover or expired prescriptions. Flushing them down the toilet pollutes our water supply, and allowing them to sit in a cabinet may be hazardous for you and your family.

Join me on National Drug Take-Back Day — Oct. 23 — and properly dispose of any unused or expired medications that you have sitting at home. Our local hospital, Advocate Good Shepherd, is hosting a free drive-thru drug take-back event at its West Pavilion. Patients want to keep their own health, home, families and friends safe. Let’s work together to keep accidental poisonings and risk for addiction and overdose at bay.

Molly Kucera, M.D.

Algonquin