Time to turn in old medications

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department, the Idaho State Police, and the city's Enough is Enough Committee, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, are holding a "National Pharmaceutical Drug Take-Back Day" at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be held just outside the library's front entrance.

School resource officers and School District 271 administrators have reported increased cases of students accessing prescription medications that belong to a family member and selling or abusing them at school.

The risk is that individuals may use medications that are not prescribed for them. Use of outdated medications is equally dangerous. The most common medications sold or distributed are narcotics such as oxycontin and vicodin. Prescription and over-the-counter cold remedies, as well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, are also passed on to other students.

The purpose of "National Pharmaceutical Drug Take-Back Day" is to stop the diversion of medications at the "source" and to help citizens dispose of outdated medications or medications that are no longer needed.

By disposing of the items safely, it will also help our environment because they won't be flushed into the wastewater system.

"There is growing concern that personal care products and pharmaceuticals can pass through a wastewater treatment plant and end up poisoning aquatic life in our rivers and streams," said Wastewater Superintendent Sid Fredrickson. He asks that citizens not flush these products down the drain.

Sharpies will be provided for the public to mark out any personal information on the prescription bottle.

Please note that intravenous solutions, injectibles, syringes, or medical waste will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.

Information: 769-2320