Recently, several communities in North Boston have implemented collection programs for unused prescription drugs. In response to a nationwide jump in teen recreational use of prescription drugs, several communities in the area decided to provide drug disposal sites where residents could safely drop off their unused prescriptions.

According to public health officials, setting up collection spots for outdated prescriptions is an effective method to help keep the drugs from ending up in the hands of teenagers.

As part of the collection effort, several postal service mail boxes have been refurbished and placed in the lobbies of local police stations as collection receptacles. Residents can drop unused prescriptions in these boxes 24 hours a day, seven days per week. The drug take-back programs are a collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare, public health, education, and community agencies.

Joan Whitney, director of substance abuse prevention in Gloucester, commented on the trend of prescription drug use: "The national statistics are astounding. The misuse of prescription drugs is the fastest growing category of misuse nationally, with teens admitting to abusing prescription drugs. We need to limit access and provide awareness."

(Source: wickedlocal.com)

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse, substance abuse