New Campaign to Ensure the Safe Disposal of Prescription Medications

In light of recent media reports about prescription drugs in drinking water, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to help educate the public about the proper way to dispose of medication. The campaign -- dubbed “SMARxT DISPOSAL” -- will inform people on how to safely dispose of medicines in the trash, and highlight the environmental threat posed from flushing medicines down the toilet. Pharmacies will offer information about this to customers; and state and federal agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and conservation groups will join the outreach effort.APhA, PhRMA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommend the following steps can make a huge difference:

• DO NOT FLUSH unused medications or POUR them down a sink or drain. Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications; however, recent environmental impact studies report that this could be having an adverse impact on the environment. While the rule of thumb is not to flush, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that certain medications should be flushed due to their abuse potential. Read the instructions on your medication and talk to your pharmacist.

• Dispose of Unused Medication in Household Trash. When discarding unused medications, ensure you protect children and pets from potentially negative effects: Pour medication in a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.), crush it or add water to dissolve it. Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets or children to eat) to the plastic bag. Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash. Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from the medication container.

• Check for Approved State and Local Collection Programs. In certain states, you may be able to take your unused medications to your community pharmacy. Consult Your Pharmacist with any questions. Visit the SMARxT Disposal website at: www.smarxtdisposal.net/.

source: CADCA Coalitions online www.cadca.org

Love & Logic Workshops coming Friday, March 28th!

Fritz Barnett Intermediate 9-10:30 AM

SHATTERED DREAMS

SANTA FE I. S. D.

Luckily, this is not a photo of a real crash scene. Shattered Dreams is an alcohol awareness education program. The goal is to save lives, while emphasizing this one thing...drinking and driving do not mix.

This major production is all volunteer. People from the school and community give their time and efforts to make the program the success that it is. A crash scene is enacted and local emergency techs, LifeFlight, police, fire and hospital responders play out their parts in delivering this realistic catastrophy.

Finally, after the dead are picked up by the hearse, and the barely living are sent to the hospital via ambulance, the students watching are returned to their seats in the classroom. But the day is not over. Every fifteen minutes, to emphasize how often a life is lost due to drunk driving, a living dead student is removed from the classroom by the angel of darkness. The faces of these volunteers are painted with white makeup and they return to their class. They are not allowed to speak (and no one is allowed to speak to them) for the remainder of the day. An obituary is read for each of these living dead, reminding those still alive of their accomplishments and personalities.


At an overnight retreat, all volunteers debrief and share feelings about the events of the day. Letters written to each other are read by students and their parents explaining what they would have missed if the event had been real.

Thanks to all of the staff at Santa Fe High School and volunteer students, as well as community members, Santa Fe Police and fire departments, emergency personel, and Life Flight. A special thanks to Lisa Byrd and Steve Rose. What a great message you have delivered to our community.

Alcoholism

(Source: Addiction Treatment Help Line)

Alcohol (including beer, wine, and hard liquor) is the most commonly used and widely abused psychoactive drug in the country. Alcohol is the most widely tried drug among teenagers. Over 50% of 8th graders and 8 out of 10 12th graders report having tried alcohol. Many teenagers report binge drinking. Even young teens report irresponsible use of alcohol -- 25% of 8th graders have been drunk.

About half of all alcohol consumed in this country is ingested by heavy drinkers, estimated to be between 6.5 and 10 percent of the total population. The extent and frequency with which these individuals drink cause serious health and behavioral problems—disrupting their own lives and that of their family, friends, and employers—and also extracts a heavy societal toll.

Alcohol use is involved in:
One-half of all murders, accidental deaths, and suicides
One-third of all drowning, boating and aviation deaths
One-half of all crimes
Almost half of all fatal automobile accidents
The health problems associated with alcohol include brain damage, cancer, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. Binge drinking is killing our youth and college students.

If anything, this data has risen since this report. Irresponsible drinking kills. Please decide to be part of the solution...not part of the problem. Be a good role model for your child!