Making a difference Perkins earns state award for P2D2 program

April 25, 2012 Cathy Thoele Effingham Daily News EFFINGHAM — Effingham High School student Mary Perkins was among two dozen volunteers from around the state to win a Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for her work in setting up a drug prescription disposal program in Effingham County. She couldn’t be more thrilled or surprised. “I didn’t even know about the nomination,” she said. The P2D2 program began last summer in partnership with Effingham County Sheriff’s Department. It is designed to encourage proper disposal of unused prescriptions and prevent them from being flushed into the water supply. The risk has increased with the use of prescription drugs increase. United States Geological Survey studies have found traces of painkillers, estrogen, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines and others found in water samples from 30 states. The studies have linked hormone exposure to reproductive defects in fish, and environmental exposure to antibiotics to the development of drug-resistant germs. The drugs collected are instead incinerated and used as an alternative energy source. Perkins, an Effingham County Youth Ambassadors member, spearheaded a committee to implement the program after a local resident approached them about the program. The group began by writing a grant to cover the cost of purchasing secure metal boxes to serve as collection points for the medication. Each box costs more than $500, and recycling the medication can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000. “It took nearly a year to get up and running,” said area University of Illinois Extension 4-H Community Coordinator Patti Logan, who nominated the 16-year-old for the award. “It’s great to see how it unfolded.” Now the program is in full swing, Perkins coordinates fellow ambassadors to sort through the medication every two to three weeks, with some parents chipping in. “It’s a team effort,” she said. Logan said the program keeps Perkins busy. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it,” she said. That work also includes finding additional funding for the program as it grows. “I’m about to start on a grant application right now,” said Perkins Tuesday. With 4-H programs focused on community service, the nearly decade-long member is used to volunteering. “If someone asks me, I won’t turn them down,” she said. Perkins was surprised at how much the program has grown. “When I was asked to be in charge, I thought it would be small,” she said. “I didn’t know it would grow into something this big.” Public response to the program has been overwhelming, with 750 pounds of unused medication being collected. “We definitely average one 25- to 30-pound garbage bag full a week, sometimes two,” said Effingham County Chief Deputy John Loy. The program not only helps keep the unused medication out of the water supply, but out of the hands of youth as well. “‘Skittle parties’ were becoming a trend in our community,” said Logan. “At these parties, youth would dump any unused prescription medication they could find in a bowl, and then consume a handful of pills with alcohol.” Residents can drop off expired prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs. The sheriff’s department goes one step further by providing a way to dispose of questionable or illegal drugs and paraphernalia. “If a parent finds something they don’t want to deal with, they can call us and we’ll pick up the drugs on a one-time basis with no questions asked,” said Loy. The drop boxes are located at most pharmacies in the area, as well as Effingham County Government Center, Effingham County Office Building, Teutopolis Village Hall, Altamont Municipal Building and Bonutti Clinic. Perkins is thrilled the program has caught on. “I think it’s awesome people are still bringing it in,” she said.