Proper disposal

Pharmacist Tara Hennington of Gillis Drugs in McComb is urging proper and safe disposal of old and unused prescription drugs. By Randy Hammons, Enterprise-Journal | 0 comments A customer’s simple question to a local pharmacist some two years ago was the impetus of legislation soon to be presented in the Mississippi Legislature. Rep. Sam Mims V, R-McComb, is working on a bill that would set up prescription drug collection sites at local law enforcement offices, allowing people to drop off their expired prescription medications, no questions asked. The drugs would then be transported to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics office in Jackson, where they would be incinerated. “Two years ago this month, a customer asked me a simple question as to what they should do with their unused prescription drugs. The only answer I could give her was to flush the drugs or throw them away,” recalls Gillis Drugs pharmacist Tara Hennington recalled. “As a health care provider, I wasn’t satisfied with that answer,” she said. “I then found a science teacher in Pontiac, Ill., by the name of Paul Ritter. He and his students founded the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal program (P2D2).” Hennington said McComb Police Deputy Chief Scott McKenzie and Tim Vanderslice, commander of the Southwest Mississippi Narcotics Enforcement Unit, have helped local citizens dispose of their prescription drugs safely. “We’ve been able to participate in drug take-back days as a means of safe disposal of the medications,” Hennington said. “The only problem was the pickups were few and far between. It was once every six months. It was a temporary fix until something came about long-term.” But Hennington said that was only the beginning of the process. She said more awareness of the problem was necessary. As a result, Parklane Academy teacher Randy Martin soon joined the effort. “Randy helped get a group of students together who had a passion to bring about awareness for the problem,” Hennington said. “They are the voice of the program. When they talk, people tend to listen. We’re trying to educate our citizens that improper disposal of prescription medications contaminates our water and soil and they can get into the wrong hands. We want to prevent accidental overdoses.” Hennington said some 19 states have P2D2 programs, but only two states have passed legislation. Hennington found an staunch ally in Mims, who is scheduled to visit Parklane Tuesday night at 6 and meet with students about the problem. Students also plan to visit the State Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday and lobby lawmakers. “The bill has been drafted. Lawmakers will assign the bill a number and what committee it’s going to,” Mims said on Friday. “This legislation will allow the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to pick up medications people have. Water treatments are not the best place to send these prescription drugs,” Mims said. He noted that the legislation also will be a teaching tool for students. “The bigger point in what Randy and Tara are doing is that they are involving young people throughout Pike County,” Mims said. “They’re showing them the political process. I’ll speak to them at the Capitol on Wednesday to explain the legislation and the problems of substance drug abuse. I believe anytime we can get young people involved and show them how bills go through committee, it’s a good thing.”