AISD teams up with DEA in initiative to dispose of expired prescription drugs

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Aldine ISD partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to be one of the Houston area’s receiving sites for expired prescription drugs on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in October.

AISD’s Central Office was used as a venue by the DEA for individuals who wanted to dispose of expired, unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Medicines play a role in treating many conditions and diseases, but when they are no longer needed it’s important to dispose of them properly to avoid harm to others, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Ridding households of expired medications helps eliminate the risk that individuals might accidentally take them.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addressed a vital public safety and public health issue relating to the availability of expired, unwanted and unused medications. More than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to a study conducted by the Partnership for a Drug Free America, approximately 2,500 teens abuse prescription drugs on a daily basis as first-time drug users.

The Aldine site collected 18 pounds of medications, according to Thomas E. Hinojosa of the DEA.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the National Take Back Initiative that was held on Oct. 29,” Hinojosa wrote in a letter to Aldine ISD officials. “As a result of this nationwide initiative and specifically, with assistance from your organization, the Houston Field Division was able to significantly increase the total collected unused, unwanted and expired medications. The degree of success achieved in this program is directly attributable to the assistance provided by you and your employees. Your organization was an integral part that led to the success of this initiative. Thank you for your continued support.”

Hinojosa reported that 13,387 pounds of expired or unwanted medications were collected throughout the Houston area during the Oct. 29 event.

DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States conducted National Prescription Drug Take Back Days in 2010. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in these events, collecting more than 309 tons of pills.

Hinojosa said another National Take Back Initiative is scheduled for April 28, 2012.