Colorado Springs Dentist Supports National Drug Take Back Day

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Sept. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- September 27th is the scheduled date for the public to safely discard unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs that have been taking up space in medicine cabinets, countertops, and drawers. Dr. Ralph Parkin, a local Colorado Springs dentist, stated he supports the effort of the DEA to remove left over prescription drugs and safely dispose of them by turning them in at designated locations instead of flushing them down the drain or tossing them into the trash; neither of which is a proper way to discard medications without harming the environment.

DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart stated, "By taking these medications off their hands, our citizens know thy have made their own families and communities safer." The aim of the national take-back day is not only to safely dispose of unused medications, it also intends to educate citizens of the dangers of drug abuse and drug trafficking.

Dr Parkin, as a prescriber of controlled substances, stated that he is keenly aware of the dangers of drug addiction from prescription medications and is cautious when prescribing them. Further, he said that millions of Americans are currently addicted to such medications, especially pain medications such as vicodin and percocet, which are often prescribed for dental pain related to extractions and tooth infections. He mentioned a recent study that 54% of drug abusers of pain medicines got them from friends or relatives including, the article stated, by raiding the medicine cabinet of unsuspecting individuals who legally obtained the pain killers for legitimate reasons.

In contacting the DEA, Dr. Parkin learned that prescribing offices are not, for whatever reason, allowed to be dropoff sites. He learned that almost all the sites are police departments and sheriff stations.  There are designated drop off sites in Fort Carson as well. To locate a site, either go online and search for national drug take-back day (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/) or call 719-576-1730, which is Cheyenne Mountain Dental Center, and ask for a site near you. The DEA adds new dropoff sites periodically.

Dr. Parkin also reminds his patients who are on antibiotics to always finish them. He said, "There is a growing concern that medications designed to kill off bacteria if not completely taken at the prescribed interval and for the prescribed duration are part of the reason life threatening and antibiotic resistant super bugs have appeared."

The take back program has removed over 4,000,000 pounds of prescription meds so far. Dr. Parkin urges Colorado Springs citizens to do their part to keep our local community a safer place for themselves and their families.