Everyone knows that medications benefit society in many ways — they can help fight cancer, they can take away pain, and they can lift depressed spirits. In fact, with the dizzying array of pharmaceuticals available for use when we get sick, we can rest assured that “there’s a pill for that!â€
But there are a few responsibilities that consumers need to understand when choosing to medicate their ills with these wonder drugs.
First, medications need to be kept out of the hands of children. Most people remember to do this when they have little ones at home. They keep medicines in high cabinets and they rely on child proof caps. This works to keep young children from ingesting prescription pills or liquids; however, there is a new trend brewing. Older children, including middle school age, are now experimenting with prescription medications. In fact, there is a growing trend around the country, called “pill parties.â€
As you can imagine, if a young person ingests medications not prescribed to him or her specifically, the results could be disastrous. Last year in a small community in Wisconsin, one child died because he took pills that were given to him by his peers. This is not an isolated incident; it is happening across the nation. To combat this alarming trend, keep your pills out of reach of children of ALL ages.
Another responsibility that consumers need to be aware of is that outdated or unused medications should never be washed down the sink or flushed down the toilet. The reason is simple; they contaminate the ground water. This shocking fact is troubling. Most of us think that our water is purified at wastewater treatment facilities, and this is true; however, some of these medicines still find their way into our ground water supply. Who wants hormones, or any of the other medications, in our drinking water? No one!
To dispose of medications properly, take advantage of one of the many “drug drop offs†spots around the country. Health departments, police departments, and other agencies are now holding drug round-ups to take old and unused medications back from consumers. If you can’t find a drug drop off near you, you can dispose of medications in coffee grounds or cat litter in a sealed bag in your trash.
A final responsibility that the public needs to be aware of is that all medication should be taken according to the directions. This is especially important with antibiotics. Many of us have gone to the doctor for treatment for a terrible cold, flu, or sinus infection, and we are glad to receive an anti-biotic to fight off the infection. Sometimes, though, we stop taking the medication once we start to feel better. This is a mistake. It helps to create strong “bugs†that can become drug resistant. So, even if the medication lasts for 14 days, and a patient feels better on day 8, he or she should continue taking all the medicine to completely kill the organism causing the illness.
Medications remain a tool to help us feel better, to make our lives easier and less painful. Thank goodness these wonder drugs exist! But with any medication, remember your responsibilities as well. 1. Keep medications away from ALL children, from infants to teens. 2. Dispose of your medications properly. 3. Take ALL of your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. By doing these three simple things, we can all avoid pill peril.
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