FRN Launches Smart Disposal Campaign in Region

Moundsville W.Va - The Marshall County Family Resource Network (FRN) has launched a campaign to promote the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 29. The Safe Storage. Smart Disposal campaign is launching in 16 counties throughout the region as part of the United in Prevention Project. The focus of the effort is to get commonly abused prescription drugs out of circulation.

The campaign focuses on safe and responsible ways to store and dispose of prescription drugs. It also highlights the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 29 from 10am – 2pm. On this day, the community can take any expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs to local collection sites for disposal. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Marshall County has four collection sites including the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Moundsville Police Department, WV State Police Detachment, and the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department.

“Many people do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – this can have harmful effects to our water supply and pose a public safety issue. The Safe Storage. Smart Disposal Campaign encourages participation in the Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and highlights responsible ways to store and dispose of prescription drugs at home,” said Jon Lewis, drug free communities coordinator at the FRN.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

“Many people are unaware that the medicines in their home cabinets are highly susceptible to theft and misuse. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing problem for our youth, and take-back events like this one are an indispensable tool for reducing the circulation of these commonly abused drugs,” said Lewis.

For more information on prescription drug abuse, the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, or The Safe Storage. Smart Disposal. Campaign, please visit United in Prevention’s website at www.unitedinprevention.com.

The FRN’s United in Prevention Project includes 16 counties: Brooke, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt, and Wood Counties. This effort is the first of its kind to mobilize these counties in a unified force working for substance abuse prevention programs and practices. United in Prevention is funded by the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.

The Marshall County FRN is a non-profit organization that is helping to make Marshall County a better place to live and work. For more information on the FRN or United in Prevention, please contact the Marshall County FRN at (304) 845-3300 or visit www.marshallcountyfrn.com.