It seems strange that the road to suffering and death by overdose can start with a bottle of pills forgotten on a counter.
Still, “Most opiate misuse starts from people taking someone else’s opiate medication,” according to Dr. Charissa Fotinos, the deputy chief medical officer of Washington State Health Care Authority. For these reasons, one of the best ways to protect your loved ones from opioid addiction is by removing unneeded medications from your home.
This Saturday, coalitions in the Spokane area plan to host three prescription drug take-back events for National Drug Take-Back Day. The events will provide a safe way for people to dispose of their unused or expired medication so others don’t reach it. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are accepted, both with or without their original containers.
Considering that opioid overdoses have risen by 30 percent in 2018, according to the Spokesman-Review, preventative measures like take-backs are particularly important now.
Take-Back locations:
- 10 am-2 pm at Spokane C.O.P.S. North Central / Knox Presbyterian Church, 806 W. Knox Ave
- 10 am-3 pm at Market Street CHAS Clinic, 5921 N. Market St.
- 10 am-2 pm at David C. Wynecoop Memorial Clinic, 6203 Agency Loop Rd., Wellpinit
10 am-2 pm at Cheney CHAS Clinic, 1720 Second St., Cheney
