LAKE COUNTY — Concerns about recent youth overdoses as well as protecting the water supply spurred Tribal Youth Coordinator Frank Gudmundson to organize prescription pill drop-off sites throughout Lake County during the month of June.
Gudmundson said children often overdose on prescription pills because they don”t understand that many of the pills are time-released or they take the pills with alcohol.
“About 70 percent of the pills are obtained from friends or family members. Many are being sold at schools,” Gudmundson said.
He said children have a false sense of security because the pills are prescriptions but more people die from misuse of prescription drugs than any illicit or illegal drug. Common misused or abused medications include OxyContin, Vicodin, Soma and methadone. Gudmundson said similar drop-off programs in small cities are yielding an average of 8,000 to 20,000 pill counts.
For the month of June drop off points will be hosted at local fire departments. Scheduled drop off points to date take place at Lakeport Fire Protection District on June 1 and at Kelseyville Fire Department June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drop off points will be published as announced in the Record-Bee and other Lake County Publishing publications.
Robinson Rancheria Tribal Youth and The Boys and Girls Club are proud to initiate this program in Lake County.
Gudmundson said drop offs will take place with no questions asked. “There is no law enforcement involved. It”s like an amnesty day to drop off pills. We will hand out pamphlets about prescription drugs abuse prevention and educational tips.”
Pills may be dropped off at any pharmacy or fire department anytime. He urges people not flush pills down the toilet. He said in the Seattle area, drinking water tested positive for Prozac as a result of improper disposal.
Scheduled drop offs will take place all through the month of June. Gudmundson said he would like to make this annual event. The collected pills will be disposed of at the health department.
He advised not to store unused medicines and to lock up serious medicines.
For more information call Gudmundson at 533-5883.
