Opioid abuse is becoming a bigger problem in the Twin Cities and throughout the United States, but Minnesota is hoping to curb some of the abuse this weekend during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The 13th annual Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, and the goal of the program is for people to rid their house of old prescriptions or medications that they might be abusing or that may be tempting to other members of their household.
“Deaths from prescription painkiller abuse and other opioids continue to rise in Minnesota, and most people who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends or family members,” said State Attorney General Lori Swanson. “The best way to keep prescription drugs from being abused or diverted is to safely dispose of them as soon as they are no longer needed.”
Slippery Slope
You might not think that holding onto those painkillers from when you got your wisdom teeth out or when you broke your ankle is problematic, but pain pill addiction is a real issue. Not only can people become addicted to the painkilling properties these opioids offer, but they can be gateway drugs to harder compounds as users search for ways to experience an even bigger high. According to statistics, roughly 80 percent of heroin users first abused prescription drugs.
By returning unused pills to a safe disposal site, you’ll ensure that your pills do not find their way into the wrong hands, said Swanson.
“This decreases the access to controlled substances in people’s homes because we know the first exposure many people have to narcotics is through friends and family. Drug take back days are an extremely important step in minimizing opioid abuse and primarily diversion,” she said. “By bringing unused medications to drop boxes or events like take-backs, it helps eliminate unused medications that have the potential to be diverted.”
The Drug Take Back Day is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, which hosts two take back days each year. Since 2010, more than 3,600 tons of prescription medications have been collected through take back events across the county.
Minneapolis Drug Lawyer
We have seen first-hand how an innocent prescription for painkillers after an injury can spiral out of control into an addiction and arrests. That’s why take back programs are essential. So please, if you or someone you love has extra painkillers sitting in their cabinet that they no longer take, please get them to a disposal center this weekend.
And as always, if you end up facing criminal charges due to illegal prescription possession or any other drug related crimes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. Aside from getting you legal help, we have a number of connections in the substance abuse community that can ensure you get the help you need to kick an addiction. Contact us day or night at (952) 224-2277.
