King County Board of Health Subcommittee wins state prevention award

Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and Miss
Washington Reina Almon present Mayor David Baker
with prevention award.

The King County Board of Health Subcommittee on Secure Medicine Return is the recipient of a Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award in the Local Government category.  Board of Health member David Baker, mayor of Kenmore, received the award on behalf of the subcommittee at an awards event held October 21 during the Washington State Prevention Summit in Yakima.

Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen bestowed the award stating:

“The adoption of a secure medicine return program in King County is part of a multi-pronged strategy for preventing youth medicine abuse. It goes hand-in-hand with coalition and community-based educational activities; the statewide prescription monitoring program; law enforcement efforts to break up illegal sales of medications; and national campaigns teaching people to lock up their medications.  As with all substance abuse prevention, multiple partners are needed to be most effective.  The King County Board of Health's Subcommittee on Secure Medicine Return is a perfect example of government playing their part in prevention.”

The Subcommittee on Secure Medicine Return developed a rule and regulation to establish a secure medicine return program in King County that will reduce the amount of unused and unwanted medicines in homes and be part of a comprehensive, community-wide strategy for preventing youth substance abuse.  King County is only the second jurisdiction in the United States to adopt medicine return program using a product stewardship model that requires pharmaceutical companies doing business in the county to implement and pay for it. 

To learn more about the Secure Medicine Return program, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/BOH/MedicineTakeback.aspx

Why is a medicine return program needed in King County?

First some background information about the problem of prescription drug abuse.

Hospitalizations continue to increase
According to the Washington State Department of Health, hospitalizations for prescription painkiller overdoses continue to rise in our state. 

CDC says the problem is epidemic
This is a national problem, as well.  According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP):

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. While there has been a marked decrease in the use of some illegal drugs like cocaine, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug non-medically.

Some individuals who misuse prescription drugs, particularly teens, believe these substances are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist. Addressing the prescription drug abuse epidemic is not only a top priority for public health, it will also help build stronger communities and allow those with substance abuse disorders to lead healthier, more productive lives.

ONDCP's Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan
The national 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan includes action in four major areas to reduce prescription drug abuse:

1. Education. A crucial first step in tackling the problem of prescription drug abuse is to educate parents, youth, and patients about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, while requiring prescribers to receive education on the appropriate and safe use, and proper storage and disposal of prescription drugs.

2. Monitoring. Implement prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) in every state to reduce “doctor shopping” and diversion, and enhance PDMPs to make sure they can share data across states and are used by healthcare providers.

3. Enforcement. Provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to eliminate improper prescribing practices and stop pill mills.

4. Proper Medication Disposal. Develop convenient and environmentally responsible prescription drug disposal programs to help decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in the home.

Are these things going on locally?
In King County, the first three strategies are in place either through local community activities or the implementation of the prescription monitoring program in our state.

What’s missing?

An ongoing medication disposal program. But King County can change that. 

On May 16, the King County Board of Health is holding a public hearing about proposed policy to start a permanent medicine return program countywide.  See yesterday's post for more information. 

King County Board of Health to hold public hearing on proposed medicine return policy

Your voice is needed!

Public Hearing:
Establishing a King County Medicine Return Program

King County Board of Health Meeting
Thursday, May 16, 1:30 p.m.
King County Courthouse, 10th Floor
516 Third Avenue, Seattle

Background
In 2012, the King County Board of Health established a subcommittee to explore how it can support the safe disposal of unused and unwanted medications. With prescription drug abuse and accidental poisonings on the rise in King County, an ongoing, county-wide medicine return program funded by producers is part of a comprehensive prevention strategy.

What is being proposed?
The Board of Health subcommittee is proposing that the producers of medicines fund and implement a county-wide secure medicine return program at pharmacies and law enforcement agencies using a product stewardship model. A product stewardship model recognizes that everyone involved in the lifespan of medications has a responsibility to reduce its health and safety impacts. For producers, this includes planning and paying for the disposal of medicines at the end of their useful life.

What is this public hearing all about?
During the May 16, 2013 Board of Health meeting, individuals are encouraged to provide 2-minute testimony about the subcommittee’s proposal to establish a permanent medicine return program. The hearing will provide Board of Health members with information about why such a program is important for reducing youth prescription drug abuse and accidental poisonings.

How can I testify?
Show up at the Board of Health meeting on May 16 and sign in as a speaker. Individuals and organizations in favor of the proposed policy are coordinating so that we may take full advantage of the limited time each speaker has.

Can’t make the hearing?
Contact the Board of Health and tell them you support the establishment of a medicine return program. Comments should be submitted to the Board of Health, Attn: Maria Wood at maria.wood@kingcounty.gov.

Why is a take-back program needed?
Visit the King County Take Back Your Meds coalition webpage for information about the prescription drug abuse problem and the need for a comprehensive prevention strategy including a permanent medicine take back program.