Drug Take Back Program Aims To Help Stop The Misuse Of Rx Drugs

A 2012 study showed that there were 585 million Class 2 to Class 4 pills prescribed in Arizona. Of those, 58.5 percent were pain relievers, and 82.4 percent of the pain relievers were oxycodone and hydrocodone.

“These prescription drugs are available everywhere,” he said noting that we have experienced some tragedies, some burglaries in the community committed for the purpose of obtaining these drugs.

The chief noted that pharmacist Chuck Dutcher, who has many years of experience in the area of prescriptions, including 30 years as the local pharmacist, is now on the Prescription Monitoring Board. Dutcher gave him a call about a grant for a drug take back box.

“We obtained that grant and have it (the drug take back box) in our lobby at the police station,” said VanWinkle.

The chief recognized Dutcher “for putting forth this effort to help us take back some of the prescription drugs in our area.”

Dutcher also shared information with the council, first explaining the different classes of drugs referred to by the chief. He explained that Class 1 is the most addictive, Class 6 is prescription-only and Class 7 is available over the counter.

“There are a lot of people who have used drugs,” said Dutcher. “There’s not one person in this room who is not touched by drug addiction,” further noting that every family in America is touched in one way or another by drug addiction.

“The Drug Take Back Program is to get the drugs out of the medicine cabinet,” said Dutcher. He explained that kids raid the medicine cabinet and they will put everything each one of them has gotten into a bowl, then throw it down with a beer and “hope they live.”

Dutcher recommended that when people get pain relievers they not let other people know that they have them in the house. He cautioned everyone that addicts will often see someone with a broken leg, crutches or a telling medical problem, and make friends with them to see if they have any drugs.

“Hydrocodone and oxycodone abuse is now more prevalent than marijuana in the world,” said Dutcher. “Unfortunately, the medical profession just hands it out and people can get addicted.” He added that some take these drugs for pain, but don’t like them and won’t take them, but some will say, “I really like this stuff.” “Unfortunately it is used as an escape to get away from life,” said the pharmacist.

“We in the medical profession have brought this epidemic on ourselves, now we’re trying to clean it up.”

Dutcher noted that computers now show the pharmacists every prescription a person has gotten, even from other states.

“We’re trying to stop it and this Take Back Box is a means of stopping it,” he said.

Navajo County recently held a Take Back Program and more than 60 lbs. of prescription drugs were turned in. The Snowflake-Taylor Police Department only had two people come in and dispose drugs, but it was a total of 3 lbs. 7 oz. of prescription drugs.

“Don’t ever drop drugs in the toilet or down the sink,” said Dutcher, explaining that a study was done near Las Vegas that showed the fish had been affected. He added that you don’t want drugs in the landfills.

Items that are not acceptable at the take back box include inhalers, needles, sharps, biohazards, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, pet medicines, vitamins and over-the-counter medicines.

The Drug Take Back Box is located in the lobby of the police station, and is under lock and key. Drugs can be dropped off at any time, day or night, and it can be done anonymously, explained Chief VanWinkle. He noted that the box is checked on a regular basis and, “It’s definitely secure.”

The drugs brought in for disposal are incinerated by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.