Medication safety, disposal Published April 17, 2012 By Maj. Frances Bartz 90th Medical Support Squadron F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- People tend to keep their money in a safe place. The same holds true for those with ammunition and firearms. Likewise, controlled substance medications should be safeguarded. Prescription drug abuse is a large and growing problem in the country. There is a street value for many common medications containing hydrocodone or oxycodon. A growing number of emergency department visits, poisonings and deaths are due to accidental or intentional ingestion of such drugs. Patients are encouraged to do their part by making sure that medications are only in the hands of those who need them. One might not be aware, but pets, babysitters, visitors, friends, children or anyone who comes into the home may be at risk for helping themselves to medication not belonging to them. There is a potential danger to animals or children who get in contact with disposed controlled medications. High risk items include opiates which are in pain medications that can cause a person to stop breathing. An example is fentanyl which comes in patches, lozenges and other dosage forms. If one is currently in possession of a controlled substance medication of the type used for pain, sleep, anxiety, a stimulant for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or narcolepsy, medication used for muscle spasms or seizures, please keep them secure. If the medication is no longer needed anymore, please get rid of them. How? The United States Food and Drug Administration has a list of medications that should be flushed to help prevent danger to people and pets in the home, and can be found by doing a Web search for "medications recommended for disposal by flushing." For small amounts of other tablets or capsules, one can crush and mix them with something granular and unpalatable such as sand, soil, kitty litter or coffee grounds, put it in a zip-lock plastic bag or other sealed container and discard in the trash. For large amounts, it is often easier to turn the medication in. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency rules only allow law enforcement agencies to take back controlled substances. The next DEA National Controlled Substance Take Back Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28. Town & Country Pharmacy on South Greely Highway and the Walgreens on East Lincolnway are the collection sites for Cheyenne, Wyo. Express Pharmacy in Laramie, Wyo., is also participating. In Colorado, the Colorado State University Police Department, the Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor Police Departments are also participating that day. If unable to get to any of those locations, controlled substances can be turned in at the Cheyenne Police station at any time. The Laramie County Sheriff accepts controlled substances between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please contact the Fort Collins or Loveland police department for information. Non-controlled medications can be discarded, donated or turned in to the pharmacy. If discarding medications in the trash, please remove any personal information and put them in a sealed container or bag with an undesirable substance as described above. The Wyoming Medication Donation Program, located at 2508 E. Fox Farm Road, Suite 2A, collects medications from non-expired, unopened containers that can be distributed to folks who have no prescription insurance. Their phone number is 307-635-1297. This program is especially helpful when one gets a medication and then a provider changes it or the prescription is no longer needed. Remember, this program only accepts non-controlled substances. The F. E. Warren Air Force Base Pharmacy also accepts non-controlled medication for turn-in.