Now’s the Time to Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

By Amy Reif

I confess. I am a world-class procrastinator when it comes to spring cleaning. And most of the time, I barely get past my medicine cabinets.

But it turns out that the medicine cabinets may be the most important place in your house that you clean out on a regular basis. Why? Because more than 70% of those people who abuse prescription drugs obtain them for free from a friend or relative, typically without that person’s knowledge. And most of those prescriptions come from the family medicine cabinet where they are easily available.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem throughout the nation among people of all ages, races and ethnicities. We are not immune to the problem in our community.

In the 2012 Fairfax County Youth Survey, just over 1 in 10 Fairfax County middle and high school students reported using a painkiller (ex: Vicodin, OxyContin) without a prescription. Students have reported that they are abusing prescription drugs prescribed for ADD and ADHD to cram for exams, purchasing or getting them for free from classmates who have a prescription, or taking them from family members without their knowledge. Or they may abuse amphetamines to lose weight or steroids to bulk up.

And the problem is prevalent among adults as well. Because these medicines are “prescribed” by a doctor for someone, many people think that it is safe to take them. But misusing a prescription drug or over-the-counter drugs such as Sudafed or cough syrup, can lead to dependency, addiction, a trip to the emergency room or even death.

So this month, the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County and its local partners, including the Fairfax County Police Department, Falls Church-Fairfax Community Services Board, and almost all of the local pharmacy chains in the area are sponsoring Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout from May 27 – June 1, 2013. During this week, you can drop off your expired, unused and unwanted pills at these six Fairfax County Police stations for the locations:

• Franconia District Station, 6121 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310

• Mason District Station, 6507 Columbia Pike Annandale, VA 22003

• Sully District Station, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard Chantilly, VA 20151

• West Springfield District Station, 6140 Rolling Road Springfield, VA 22152

• Mount Vernon District Station, 2511 Parkers Lane Alexandria, VA 22306

• Reston District Station, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive Reston, VA 20190

It’s free, easy and confidential. Just leave the pills in their original containers and cross out any identifying information (like your name and address). No questions asked (although we may ask you to participate in an anonymous survey).

By participating in Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout, you will be helping to prevent prescription drug abuse, prevent accidental poisoning and protect the environment by keeping medicines out of the waterways. 

And in the future, secure your prescriptions the same way you would secure other valuables in your house. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org for year-round tips on disposing your medications when they are no longer needed. 

Amy Reif is the health sector coordinator for the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 50 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org.