Rx take-back a huge success Published May 5, 2011 By Lt. Col. Todd Osgood 75th Medical Support Squadron HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The 75th Medical Support Squadron, the 75th Security Forces Squadron, 75th Air Base Wing Wingman Advocate Paul Ashcraft and the Drug Enforcement Agency joined forces to provide Utah families a means for safe disposal of unwanted, unused prescription medications at the commissary on April 30. "Utah families disposed of 82 pounds of drugs, which is about 850 prescriptions' worth," said Capt. Boulier, 75th MDSS pharmacist. A total of 996 pounds was collected in Davis County including Hill Air Force Base. This is the first medication take-back event at Hill Air Force Base. The next one is planned to coincide with the next national prescription take-back event. However, you don't have to wait until the next scheduled event. To safely dispose of unwanted medication, call the Division of Environmental Quality hot line at (800) 458-0145 to find permanent disposal bins or visit www.useonlyasdir. ected.orgPlease do not flush your unused prescription and over-the-counter medications. Proper disposal of unwanted medicines may be a chore, but there are important reasons to do this in a safe and responsible way: Many drugs flushed down the toilet cannot be removed by the sewer treatment plant or septic system. These substances then get into our streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater and our soil and may cause harm to the environment. Drug abuse very common Abuse of prescription drugs, particularly painkillers, has increased among teenagers and young adults. More than half of people who abuse painkillers get the drugs for free from friends or relatives. You can make a difference Children and pets can find medicine in your home or in your trash. Drugs may be taken by accident, on purpose or illegally sold. By turning in your old prescriptions, you can prevent accidental poisoning and drug abuse.