Public Pill Drop - March 28
As part of Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) 2015, the School of Pharmacy’s Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) team in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will host the annual Public Pill Drop, where members of the public can safely dispose of their expired medications.
While expired medications may lose their effectiveness, there is also a danger that if not safely disposed of, they could fall into the wrong hands.
Dr. Barbara Thomas (School of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine, and Clinical Pharmacist with Eastern Health) teaches substance abuse to undergraduate pharmacy students.
Dr. Thomas reported that prescription drugs can be as lethal as illegal drugs if used incorrectly.
“The most common classes of prescription medications that are subject to abuse are the opioid analgesics such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), the sedative hypnotics such as lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), and the psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin). Each of these medications can be lethal if taken in an excessive amount or if taken by someone whose system has not been introduced to the drug in smaller doses,” she said. “They could experience respiratory failure in a person who is drug naïve. That’s the worry with medications like methadone being out on the streets.”
Pharmacy student Sydney Saunders, one of the lead event organizers, agrees that awareness is pivotal.
"Some of our students have been visiting local high schools to educate students about the dangers and risks associated with prescription drug abuse,” she said. “High school students are at a vulnerable age where they have more exposure to and knowledge about prescription medications, therefore, it is important for us to do our part and make them aware of the risks of taking medications not prescribed for them."
Chief William Janes (RNC) is proud to partner with the school on such an important initiative.
“This is a great opportunity to dispose of unneeded medications in a way that will ensure they do not fall into the hands of youth,” he said.
Sgt. Steve Conohan (RCMP) added that prescription drug abuse in the metro area is a growing issue.
“We have to do everything we can in this community to spread awareness and offer preventative measures,” he said.
For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Heidi Wicks (communications co-ordinator, School of Pharmacy) at wicksh@mun.ca or 777-7302/749-7462 (mobile)
Constable Steven Curnew (media relations officer, RNC) at rncmediarelations@rnc.gov.nl.ca or 729-8658