Pharmacist Bob Grisnik has long been aware that the medicines he dispenses, if not completely used up, would often sit in people's homes for years on end until, eventually, they were discarded by being tossed in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. He was also aware that disposing of these chemicals in such casual ways constituted some serious threats to our invironment. Last year, he began to look into ways he could offer his patients an opportunity to rid themselves of these old prescriptions without doing harm to the environment. What he found was that it was not going simple, and there were a great many problems to overcome.

Finally, earlier this year, the National Community Pharmacists Association, an organization of some 22,000 pharmacies, announced a program along the same lines that they were working on. Bob decided to integrate the information he had developed with that of the NCPA and organize a test event to be held on, or close to the Earth Day 2010 observances.

Fortunately, we live in a community where people do step up to do their part when they believe in the cause. That includes local government agencies, businesses, civic organizations, media and the average citizen, as well. And once we got rolling, there was an extraordinary amount of cooperation (see our 'thank you's) from many quarters.

In the days and weeks prior to the event, there were stories in the local papers and many mentions on the east end radio stations. This was in addition to the paid advertising we did in both media. So, by the time April 21st came around we were fairly confident that the word had gotten to the general public, but the question remained as to whether or not there would be a significant response.

WLNG's Dana Kallio, WEHM's Suzanne Wolfson and Bonnie Grice of WLIU all provided air support prior to, and during the event. WLNG actually broadcast live from the pharmacy for 4 hours and conducted interviews with participants.

A steady stream of patients arrived throughout the day and were met by professional pharmacy staff who cataloged the medications and removed any patient identification from the containers. Here, left to right: Pharmacists Eric Nastri, Kim Foster and Linda Nastri. Far right: Eric Nastri is intervied by Dana Kallio. Pharmacist Chick Grubb works the intake table in the background.

Southampton Town Councilperson, Chris Nuzzi stopped by to comment on the event and offer his support. Bob Grisnik (right) aired his thoughts throughout the day.

Co-sponsor, Skip Norsic on the air with Bob Grisnik. (Far right) Jeremy Samuelson representing the Group for the East End , a front line environmentalist organization, being interviewed at the WLNG table by Dana Kallio.

WLNG interviews Christine Epifania of Alternatives, a private substance abuse counciling organization. Ms Epifania addressed the growing problem of access by youngsters to unsecured narcotic medications stored in the home,.

At the end of the day, the final tally was some 1, 144 containers of pills, capsules, powders, liquid preparations, creams, ointments, inhalents and other forms of prescription medications turned in to us for safe disposal. While this may sound like a lot, compared to the number of improperly disposed of pharmceuticals, it's actually a very small amount. Still, we feel that the event was a huge step in the right direction and a great learning experience. It also demonstrated what this kind of cooperation is able to accomplish. We intend to use everything we learned to help us plan similar and, hopefully, even more successful events in the future.

Some of the 1100 containers of precription meds. (center) Products dating back to the 1970's and earlier were turned in. (right) Police Officer Ted Raffel takes custody of the controlled substances as Norsic employee, Chris Zorko removes the other pharmaceuticals from the Southrifty premises. All returned materials were secured at the village Justice Center to await transport to the incinerator.

Each year in the United States, more than 71,000 children aged 18 and younger are seen in emergency rooms for unintentional overdoses of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

More than three in five teens say prescription pain relievers are easy to get from parents' medicine cabinets; half of teens say they are easy to get through other people's prescriptions; and more than half say prescription pain relievers are 'available everywhere.'

Medication overdoses are most common among two-year-olds. About one out of every 180 visits to an emergency department is for a medication overdose each year.2

The most common medications accidentally taken by children are acetaminophen, opioids or benzodiazepines, cough and cold medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antidepressants.2

Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.1

Teens ages 12-17 have the second-highest annual rates of prescription drug abuse after young adults (18-25).1

The most recent research on deaths in the U.S. due to poisoning over a five-year period (1999-2004) shows that nearly all poison deaths in the country are attributed to drugs, and most drug poisonings result from the abuse of prescription and illegal drugs.1

Teens are abusing prescription drugs because they believe the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.1

1. Office of National Drug Control Policy. Teens and Prescription Drugs. Available at http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/TEENS_AND_PRESCRIPTION_DRUGS.pdf. Accessed on February 26, 2010.

2. US News and World Report. Medicines Top Source of Kids' Poisonings. Available at http://www.usnews.com/health/managing-your-healthcare/ treatment/ articles/2009/08/04/medicines-top-source-of-kids-poisonings.html. Accessed on February 26, 2010.

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