Team McConnell urged to return expired prescription drugs

  • Published
  • By 1st Lieutenant Jessica Brown
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The Drug Enforcement Administration is partnering with the 22nd Security Forces Squadron and the 22nd Medical Support Squadron pharmacy to participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Military members, retirees and their families are encouraged to turn-in unused or expired prescription medications at the McConnell AFB Exchange. This will provide a safe and secure venue for anyone who would like to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medication.

"I wouldn't suggest taking prescribed medication past its expiration date," said Capt Jack Drakeford, 22nd Air Refueling Wing pharmacy officer in charge. "There's really no guarantee that it will be as effective or safe, which is why we offer this drop-off event."

Although other bases have participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day before, this will be McConnell AFB's first time participating.

According to the DEA, prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor's supervision. The Partnership for a Drug Free America estimated that approximately 2,500 teens illegally use prescription drugs each day.

"We've seen through studies that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained through friends and family," said Drakeford. "It's our hope that this event will help prevent and reduce the illegal use of prescriptions."

Take-back programs are scheduled to occur all around the country on Oct. 26, but if a drop-off point is not near you, there are still safe ways to dispose of unused drugs.

"I wouldn't recommend flushing your unused prescriptions because that could contaminate our water system," Drakeford said. "However, you can seal them in a disposable container with something like cat litter or coffee grounds in order to safely dispose of them."

For more information on prescription drug abuse go to: www.dea.gov.