Rotary vs. Opioids
The statistics on the opioid crisis are staggering. From the national perspective, more than 70,000 lives are lost annually; 1.7 million lives are destroyed through dependence and addiction to a host of drugs. The cost to society which involves crime, incarceration, rehabilitation, relapse and loss of productivity is placed at $78 billion.
The Daniel Rotary Club recently heard two compelling presentations on this subject. The first was by Nanci Shipman. Her teenage son sustained a lacrosse injury to his leg in high school. His chronic, unrelenting pain resulted in several opioid prescriptions, drug dependence and ultimately a heroin addiction that took his life in college. Nanci heroically shares her story with organizations all over the country.
In the second presentation, Jason Sandoval, the Agent-In-Charge of the Charleston DEA office, spoke of the government’s involvement in the crisis. Both speakers related a common theme. Drugs in the family medicine cabinet are often used recreationally and this leads to opioid dependence and its devastating consequences. One in four teens has misused or abused these prescription drugs. Most get them from the family medicine cabinet. The Rotary Club took on the challenge to impact this all-too-common scenario. They recognized that residents of Daniel Island and the surrounding area had no convenient access to a disposal site for their unwanted drugs. Providing a Medication Drop Box became an obvious solution.
Jimbo High, the owner of Delta Pharmacy on Daniel Island, was contacted and relayed that he was anxious to get involved. MUSC pharmacist Julie Lawrence guided the Rotary Club through the process. Delta’s regional pharmacist, Erin Pauley, obtained a federal collection permit. The DEA recommended contacting Inmar, a company that would satisfy government regulations for safe and legal disposal. They provided a secure metal drop box and contracted to receive and dispose of the drugs through incineration. The Rotary Club provided the funding and disseminated information on the box. Residents of the island were then encouraged to dispose of their unwanted medication safely at Delta Pharmacy.
In the first two months, 45 pounds of drugs were received, totally filling the box. Although this is the only drop box on the island, CVS, Walgreen’s and Walmart have developed drop boxes in hundreds of their retail outlets throughout the country. Law enforcement agencies also offer national take-back days and special collection events throughout the year.
It is hoped that this simple plan will reduce the number of teens and young adults who avail themselves of the gateway of the family medicine chest to enter upon the downhill path to opioid addiction.
Additionally, National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held on April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, which is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, sets up a nationwide network of collection sites. To learn more and find collection sites, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov.
Dr. Greene is a member of the Rotary Club of Daniel Island.