National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Scheduled for September 29, 2012

rx_sideoffThe Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.

During the most recent DEA-led National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28, record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted or expired medications were collected for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites located in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the four Take-Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of medication from circulation.

“We are pleased at the response of the American people once again, and we thank them for participating and contributing to the battle against prescription drug abuse,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart, who added that 4,268 agencies participated with DEA nationwide. “While a uniform system for prescription drug disposal is being finalized, we will continue to sponsor these important take-back opportunities as a service to our communities. Our take-back events highlight the problems related to prescription drug abuse and give our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution. These events are only made possible through the dedicated work and commitment of our state, federal, local, and tribal partners and DEA thanks each and every one of them for their efforts on behalf of the American people.”

To find a take-back location in your area, visit:

 https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/ntbi-pub.pub?_flowExecutionKey=_cDFB739FF-DB94-DF35-CE96-5B4A5BFBF93F_k6CCD2707-41FA-A02D-12E1-FA9FD8D7DA6C

The NCMS Board of Directors acknowledges the prescription drug crisis and has responded with the establishment of the Opioid Task Force, developed to give NCMS members a forum to address physician needs regarding patient prescribing and to address the rising numbers of opioid death rates in North Carolina. In addition, the NCMS has promoted the Controlled Substance Reporting System (CSRS) to its members and encouraged participation.

At the invitation of NCMS President Charlie Monteiro, MD, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper will discuss the issue at an educational session, entitled “The Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse” on Friday, October 26, 2012, at the Raleigh Marriott City Center, from 2:00-4:00 pm, as part of the NCMS Annual Meeting and House of Delegates. Other session speakers include Scott Kirby, MD, Medical Director at the NC Medical Board, who will give some background on some of the cases the Medical Board has reviewed regarding physician prescribing, documentation requirements, and expectations regarding patient assessment. Fred Brason, Executive Director of Project Lazarus, will highlight community-based efforts to prevent overdoses from the Community Care Chronic Pain Initiative. The session will be moderated by Anthony Caprio, MD, Chairman of NCMS Opioid Task Force.

For more information or to register to attend, download a registration brochure now (PDF- 12 pages).

 
 

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