Water safer with disposal effort

Thursday, December 15, 2011 Share With Friend Print Article By Shannon Crawley-Serpette ntputnam@newstrib.com Dawn Conerton (left), project coordinator for Community Partners Against Substance Abuse and pharmacist Toni Lawley collect drugs at a P2D2 drop box at the Putnam County Sheriffs Department in Hennepin. The drugs collected by CPASA are incinerated so they do not end up in water sources. NewsTribune photo/Shannon Crawley-Serpette PRINCETON — Thanks to a team effort, a large number of pharmaceutical drugs won’t end up in water sources in Bureau and Putnam counties. The journey to cleaner water began several years ago when Scott Wallis, Princeton waste water superintendent, heard a program about the increasing amount of pharmaceutical drugs found in water sources. Wallis wanted to address the problem by seeing if Princeton could adopt the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal program, called P2D2, founded in Pontiac. “It was a very important program,” Wallis said. Wallis brought the idea to Princeton Police Department, which in turn discussed it with Community Partners Against Substance Abuse, a community organization with members in Bureau and Putnam counties. From there, a number of entities worked together to establish P2D2 drop-off sites in the two counties. The first box was set up in 2010. Now, boxes are located at four locations in the two-county area — Princeton Police Department, Spring Valley Police Department, Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. “That’s how it got started,” Dawn Conerton, project coordinator for CPASA, said. According to literature distributed by CPASA, a study of more than 130 waterways was conducted in 2002 by U.S. Geological Survey scientists. What they found was concerning. More than 80 percent of the waterways tested contained levels of the following pharmaceuticals — antibiotics, antidepressants, cancer drugs, cholesterol-lowering compounds, hormones used in oral contraceptives, pain killers, seizure medication and tranquilizers. That doesn’t surprise Toni Lawley, a Granville pharmacist. Before P2D2 came along, Lawley, like other pharmacists, would tell people how to dispose of their unused prescription medications. Content Continues Below “I used to tell them to flush them,” she said. The main concern for Lawley was that any unneeded drugs were disposed of — rather than sitting in a person’s house where they could accidentally be ingested by a confused patient or young child, or where they could be knowingly abused by another family member or acquaintance. In addition to the four drop boxes, several pharmacies in Bureau and Putnam counties also will accept unused medications as part of the P2D2 program. But, Lawley said, controlled substances such as narcotics, pain killers and sleeping pills, may only be dropped off at the boxes located at the police departments and sheriff’s departments. The P2D2 program has been a great success in Bureau and Putnam counties, according to Conerton. Between the four boxes in the law enforcement facilities, CPASA was able to collect 800 pounds of unwanted medications from April to October 2011. “It’s unbelievable,” Conerton said. In addition, CPASA participates in the National Take Back Day funded by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The most recent National Take Back Day was in October. “We had a fish tank that was sitting on top of a box,” Conerton said. People were invited to open their pill bottles and dump any unneeded medication into the fish tank to show the volume and variety that could accumulate in just a few hours. “I was amazed by how much we collected,” Conerton said. Following the Take Back Day, the DEA picked up the drugs and incinerated them, preventing them from eventually ending up in local water sources. Wallis, who has used the drop boxes, is pleased with the amount of pharmaceuticals that will never reach the water supply in Bureau and Putnam counties. “The program has been tremendous,” he said.

Full steam ahead on prevention

By Donna Barker - dbarker@bcrnews.com Share on Facebook Share on Twitter PRINCETON — The Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA) will not rest on past accomplishments but will continue to plan programs and outreaches to help prevent substance abuse, as well as other issues, among area young people, according to CPASA coordinator Dawn Conerton. At Tuesday’s CPASA meeting, Conerton said CPASA will participate today, Thursday, in a Boys Talk Health Fair, set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Health in Spring Valley. Boys ages 11 to 15 are invited to attend with a parent, with the fair having a variety of resource information available. CPASA member John Munoz will make a presentation on peer pressure and bullying. A similar program for girls was held Nov. 10 at St. Margaret’s, with CPASA member Claudia Bachman making a presentation. CPASA members Munoz and Princeton Police Chief Tom Root will be the main speakers at a prescription drug abuse assembly Friday morning at Bureau Valley High School in Manlius. The issue of prescription drug abuse has to be taken seriously, Conerton said. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States among 12 to 25 year olds, Conerton said, adding local people can dispose of their unused or expired medications through CPASA’s P2D2 Prescription Drug Disposal Program. “When parents hear about drug abuse they might think of illegal drugs like marijuana or heroin, but often they don’t think about prescription drugs as being a problem,” Conerton said. “It’s critical for parents to become educated about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. It’s also important for everyone to monitor their medicine cabinets or lock them if necessary.” Looking ahead to coming months, Conerton said CPASA will continue to reach out to Bureau and Putnam counties through its programs and services to help impact the lives of young people and their families. Also at the Tuesday meeting, CPASA assistant coordinator Doria Martuzzo said CPASA has two goals, which are to establish and strengthen collaboration between community agencies, groups and the general public within Bureau and Putnam counties and to reduce substance abuse among young people, and in time, adults as well. If the first goal is not reached, then the second one won’t be either, she said. In its communications efforts, CPASA had 19 newspaper articles in the last six months, placed 10 newspaper ads, done a radio spot, put up two billboards and participated in several community events, festivals and walks, Martuzzo told the group. Among the programs hosted or supported by CPASA in the last six months were Project Sticker Shock, a Messages Which Are Hopeful assembly at Princeton High School, Operation Snowball, Illinois Teen Institute, Bassett Training, and bath salts assemblies, all related to various drug, alcohol or peer pressure issues. CPASA, which was organized in 2007 with 40 members, now has 69 members and operates under the umbrella of the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

Residents can get rid of old medicine

Drug Take Back Day set for Saturday at Alton Law Enforcement Center October 23, 2011 6:20 PM By LINDA N. WELLER ALTON - The city of Alton will participate in the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday to enhance its ongoing drug drop-off program. The special effort, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., will be in the entryway of the Donald E. Sandidge Alton Law Enforcement Center, 1700 E. Broadway. Illinois-American Water Co. provided a permanent pharmaceutical drop-off box in September 2010 in the entryway as an around-the-clock depository for citizens to drop off unwanted or unused prescription medications. "They have filled 52, 30-gallon bags of unwanted medications," said Karen Cotton of Peoria, manager of external affairs for Illinois-American. "We've been estimating that a gallon of the medications weighs at least 4 pounds. So based on that estimate, the Alton Police Department has helped to collect and properly dispose of approximately 6,240 pounds of unwanted medications." Locally, Drug Free Alton Coalition and the Alton Police Department are co-sponsoring the Take Back Project. An Alton police officer will be at the drop-off area during the event to collect the medications. Edwardsville and Granite City also are participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's special effort. Edwardsville's four-hour drop-off will be held at RP Lumber, 514 E. Vandalia St.; Granite City's drop-off will be at the Walgreen drug store parking lot, 3732 Nameoki Road. The intent of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is for people to dispose of the drugs safely, without harming the environment or risking someone else ingesting the pills or capsules. The collected materials are incinerated. According to a press release from Melanie Nagel of Drug Free Alton Coalition, the Drug Take Back Day addresses a "vital public safety and public health issue." "Research shows that more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs," the press release states. "The Partnership for a Drug Free America estimates that each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. Further research shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet." The DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, has collected more than 309 tons of pills at previous National Drug Take Back Days, the release states. Nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation have participated in these events. These initiatives began after the U.S. Congress passed legislation amending the Controlled Substance Act, allowing the DEA to develop a process for people to safely dispose of their prescription drugs. President Barack Obama signed the Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act of 2010 on Oct. 12. The DEA will continue to hold Take Back Days every six months until the process moves beyond the initial development phase, Nagel's release states. People can deposit over-the-counter and prescription medications, cough syrups, vitamins, hormones, painkillers and antibiotics. They cannot drop off hypodermic needles, intravenous solutions, mercury thermometers or oxygen tanks. Cotton said overall, the company has provided grants and drop-off boxes in 22 Illinois locations, with two more coming this year. So far, the program has netted 150,000 pounds of unwanted medications in an effort to keep them from being flushed down toilets or dropped down drains - thereby polluting water systems - or buried in landfills, from which they can leach into soil and groundwater. The water company developed its disposal program based on Pontiac, Ill., teacher Paul Ritter's students' model, which they named P2D2. Students from that school and a school in Antioch, Ill., lobbied for successful passage of HB2056, the first law in the United States to deal with and fund disposal of prescription medications. "The bill enacts an additional $20 fine against anyone convicted of certain drug offenses," Cotton said. "That $20 is placed in a fund to help with costs associated with pharmaceutical disposal programs. That (money) fund will be available in 2012." A second, related bill (HB 3090) that Illinois-American worked on authorizes any Illinois community the use of its police department or city hall to place pharmaceutical drop boxes for collecting unwanted medications, Cotton said. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed both bills into law Aug. 24.

P2D2 Selected For Siemer Milling Company Grant

Pictured left to right are: Richard Siemer, President of Siemer Milling Co., and Mary Perkins, Renee Tillman, and Michelle Loy, Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors. Teutopolis Press-Dieterich Gazette Posted Oct 12, 2011 @ 09:34 AM of the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, announces that the Prescription Pill and Disposal Program (P2D2) was selected as the first grant recipient from the Siemer Milling Company Endowment Fund. P2D2 is a program being coordinated by the Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors (ECYA). The purpose of the P2D2 program is to educate the public about the harm done to the environment, and the misuse and abuse of the pharmaceuticals due to the current prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices worldwide. The mission of the program is to provide communities with proper disposal methods as well as to improve the quality of water for future generations. ECYA members have identified secure locations throughout Effingham County as collection sites. Local law enforcement officials, Mr. John Loy and the Sheriff's Department, assist with the collection of the disposed medications at the different collection sites. Currently there are seven collection locations including: Effingham Sheriff's office; Effingham Government Center; Teutopolis Village Hall; Altamont Police Department; Altamont Pharmacy; Andes Health Mart; and Heartland Human Services. Deposited drugs are collected on a bi-weekly basis, inventoried, and then picked up by a company that disposes of them by incinerating the drugs and turning them back into energy. Pharmaceuticals accepted include antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control pills, seizure medication, cholesterol-lowering compounds, suppositories, painkillers, pet medications, vitamins and supplements, homeopathic remedies, and all other prescription and over-the-counter medications. All controlled substances can be returned to the police department. The P2D2 Program was initially developed by a group of kids in Pontiac, Illinois. Their Teacher Paul Ritter (a native of Effingham) was instrumental in starting the program that has now gone nationwide. More information about the P2D2 program can be found on the web site, www.p2d2program.org. The Effingham County Youth Ambassador program was started three years ago to make Effingham County a better place and help 4-H members acquire better leadership skills. The 4-H Ambassadors include Mary Perkins, Michael Meinhart, Michael Goldstein, Abby Westendorf, Paige Logan, Brandon Loy, Alexis Ronan, Ben Esker, Ethan Fitzwilliam, Jessica Goldstein, Jesse Haarman, Rachel Tillman, Renee Tillman, Ellen Schumacher, Paul Schumacher, Hayley Hahn and Abby Wolff. Patti Logan and Chely Loy are the program coordinators. The Siemer Milling Company Endowment Fund was established in 2006 with the purpose to provide funding to area programs that support the development of young leaders. It is a component fund of the Effingham County Community Foundation.

Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program

What is the Program? The Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program is a collaborative effort between local police departments, the Franklin County Prevention Coalition, the Franklin County Health Council, Agricultural Extension Office, Winchester Utilities and Duck River Membership Corporation. The purpose is to educate the public about the harm done to the environment and community due to the current prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices and to provide them with an alternative way of disposal that ensures the quality of our water and control of prescription drugs on our streets for future generations. Role of the Police Department • Individuals can take their unused and unwanted controlled substances to local participating police departments. • The participating police departments have a secure drop box that individuals can place their substances in- no questions asked. • The substance will be disposed of following proper police procedures. Why is the program important? Many pharmaceuticals are getting past our waste water treatment plants and getting into our drinking water as well as making themselves readily available on the streets. This process of disposal will help to ensure safer drinking water and prevent prescription drug trafficking in our streets for future generations. Why should you participate? • It is the proper way to dispose of medications • It is a proven nationwide tested model • Community cooperation • Environmental stewardship • Drug Abuse Prevention • It’s easy • Because… It is the right thing to do!

Scout targets used drugs Rx disposal plan a hit

Scout targets used drugs Rx disposal plan a hit She did the entire thing on her own — from start to finish. No teacher helped her. -- PAUL A. RITTER, FOUNDER, P2D2 CLINTON — Ashley Peloso was shocked when she read a magazine article that said 80 percent of U.S. water tested by the U.S. Geological Survey had traces of prescription drugs that had been flushed down toilets. Her concern led the 14-year-old student at the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlboro to make the problem her Girl Scout Silver Award project. The result is a shiny red drop box recently set up in the police station lobby for the disposal of old or unwanted pills, ointments, inhalers, and liquid medicines, either prescription or over-the-counter. Even old pet medications can be put into the collection box. Needles, syringes, thermometers, aerosol cans, IV bags and blood-containing or infectious waste products are not accepted. Ashley, a member of Troop 30868, said her research led to an Illinois-based nonprofit organization, P2D2 (Prescription Pill & Drug Disposal), a national collaboration among pharmacies, police departments, and communities to safely dispose of drugs. After discussing her idea with P2D2 founder Paul A. Ritter, an environmental science teacher in Pontiac, Ill., Ashley approached Police Chief Mark R. Laverdure, who agreed to let her place a collection box in the station lobby. The chief, after learning of the box requirements — it can’t just be a wooden, plastic or other type of unsecured container — donated a postal box obtained from the U.S. Postal Service after the post-9-11 anthrax-related scares several years ago. The box was to be used for suspicious envelopes and packages, but has seen little use. Chief Laverdure also agreed to have the contents of the drop box taken to an incineration operation in Wareham every six months. “I was all for it,” the chief said. “There’s a need to get this stuff off of the street so it doesn’t harm the environment.” Ashley spent 50 hours on the project, including a day at the Clinton Olde Home Day in early September explaining the program to fellow residents. She has created fliers and posters chock full of information. The efforts paid off, for she will get the Silver Award at an April Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts Council ceremony. There, she will display items and present a PowerPoint talk, according to a congratulatory letter from Lynn Chaput, Girl Scout program development specialist. Ashley has also been asked to talk about the program at the Clinton Senior Center. Mr. Ritter, who founded the program in 2007, said yesterday he got the idea after his wife, also a teacher, asked him what to do with outdated prescription pills in their medicine cabinet. “I honestly did not know the answer to that. But I knew the answer was definitely not to throw them in the trash, or flush them down the toilet,” he said. That day, he discussed the problem with his students, who helped develop P2D2 in conjunction with Covanta Energy, a prescription disposal business. Besides cleaning up the environment, Mr. Ritter said, the program keeps prescription pain medication, stimulants and tranquilizers out of the hands of people who could abuse them, including young people. Mr. Ritter said his students subsequently wrote legislation that was passed by the Illinois Legislature allowing the program to be available statewide. It has expanded to 17 states, with the first program in Massachusetts starting two years ago in Great Barrington. There is also a P2D2 prescription disposal program in Danvers. “Ashley is an amazing young lady,” Mr. Ritter said. “She did the entire thing on her own — from start to finish. No teacher helped her. She gets it done like no other, and I believe her efforts will be mimicked. “She got the players together and they didn’t blink. It’s easy to do once it’s started, but someone has to start. Someone has to sit down and get the details done,” Mr. Ritter said.

Drug-free efforts

PRINCETON — The Community Partners Against Substance Abuse (CPASA) has received a $125,000 grant to help fight drug and substance abuse in Bureau and Putnam counties. CPASA will receive the $125,000 grant in October through the Office of National Drug Control Policy. CPASA coordinator Dawn Conerton said this is the third year for CPASA to receive this grant, which is part of a five-year federally-funded Drug Free Communities grant program. As long as the local group continues to meet requirements in local drug and substance abuse prevention efforts, CPASA will receive a total of $625,000 through the five-year program, Conerton said. In giving a brief history on CPASA, Conerton said the group was formed in 2007 and received its first federal funding in 2009. “Efforts to keep our youth drug free are critical to healthy and safe communities here in Bureau and Putnam counties. The Drug Free Communities program has recognized the great potential CPASA has to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse and literally save the lives of our youth.” Conerton said. “Continued funding will allow us to sustain current programs, begin new programs, and continue to mobilize our communities around the goal of reducing substance abuse among youth and, over time, among adults.” Looking at the accomplishments of CPASA’s second year of federal funding, Conerton said CPASA has a lot of which to be proud. One accomplishment is the P2D2 program, which is an on-going prescription take-back program. The purpose of the program is to educate people about the harm done to the environment through improperly disposed prescription drugs and to also educate people about the misuse and abuse of pharmaceuticals due to prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices worldwide, she said. With last year’s funding, CPASA was able to continue to support the P2D2 program at the Princeton Police Department, Spring Valley Police Department, and the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department and to expand the program to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. CPASA also participated in a national Take Back Day in April and will do so again in October, Conerton said. “The great thing about participating (in P2D2) is that it not only helps bring awareness to the issue of prescription drug abuse, but also gives us a chance to work with the Drug Enforcement Agency,” Conerton said. In other programs, CPASA recently initiated Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training (BASSET), with a great initial response from local businesses, Conerton said. BASSET training is mandatory in the city of Princeton and highly recommended in the rest of Bureau, Putnam and surrounding counties, she said. In addition, last year’s federal funding enabled CPASA to sponsor 23 students and three adults to the Illinois Teen Institute, a leadership prevention program held at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Conerton said. CPASA also funded several youth-planned and alcohol-free events during the year. Looking to the future, Conerton said CPASA will put the new grant money to good use. “We are going to build on what we’ve done in the past, as well as focus on programs that will affect population-level change,” Conerton said. “One new project will be the development of a plan to help local festival and event planners look more closely at their alcohol-related practices and policies. This funding will enable us to continue to do great things, but we could not do it without our committed coalition members who are truly invaluable.”