Bay Area Alliance Prescription Drug Advisory Committee Makes a Difference
with Local Medication Take Back Event

League City, TX – On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Prescription Drug Advisory Committee of the Bay Alliance for Youth and Families held their 5^th Medication Take Back event at UTMB Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes.  With the help of Friendswood Police Department, DEA, University of Houston Police Academy Cadets, and University of Houston Pharmacy students, this group collected 685 pounds of unused, unwanted, and expired medications on Saturday.  This was their largest collection to date, and brings their total collection to 2,486 pounds. 

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise throughout the United States and has become especially troublesome in the greater Houston area.   “This initiative is so important because it keeps these potentially dangerous medications out of the reach of children,” said Jon D. Thompson, Director of the Southeast Texas Poison Center.  “It prevents abuse, misuse, or accidental poisonings by youth as well as adults.” 

Prescription drug overdoses account for a death every 25 minutes in the United States.  According to Bay Area Alliance Coalition Manager, Amanda McLauchlin, “That is a staggering statistic when you really think about it.  Often times, we’re asked what people can do, so this effort encourages everyone to do their part in emptying these potentially hazardous drugs from their medicine cabinets.”

The Prescription Drug Advisory Committee consists of members from organizations such as the Southeast Texas Poison Center, Texas Pharmacy Board, Texas Attorney Generals’ Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Friendswood Police Department, and Walgreens Pharmacy.  For more information, please contact the Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families at 281-284-0370.