Prescription drug abuse is rising fast and recently the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. One way to help prevent prescription drug abuse is to dispose of your unused medications. By disposing of the medications, we reduce the risk of the medications being abused by someone else or by a patient. I was asked this week how someone should properly dispose of unused medications, without harming the environment

Traditionally, it was acceptable to flush unused medication down a drain or the toilet. This method removes the medication and prevents abuse, but it can create a serious environmental hazard.

Antibiotics and other medications in a septic system can destroy beneficial bacteria necessary for the system to operate. This could cause an expensive septic system failure. For those of us on a sewer system, wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to remove many chemicals in medications; therefore, they end up in our ground water. Flushing medications also may violate municipal ordinances or codes.

Another reason to properly dispose of unused medications is some people, specifically teens, will experiment with prescription drugs. Some teens may think they will help them have more fun and fit in, help them to lose weight, or even study more effectively. Prescription drugs can be easy for teens to get, as they are usually right there in the medicine cabinet, on the kitchen table, or in the cupboard, where street drugs have to be sought out.

Here are some tips to properly dispose of your unused medications:

Follow disposal instructions listed on the drug label or information provided with the medication. Do not flush unless this information specifically instructs you to. Also check with your local waste water plant.

Take advantage of a community drug take-back program. These allow citizens to bring unused medicine to a location for proper disposal site.

For sharps (needles) or liquid medication, contact your pharmacist or health care provider for information about drop boxes or collection sites.

With prescription drug abuse on the rise, the Michigan State Police wants Michiganders to know there are several ways to safely and anonymously dispose of expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs.

Thanks to the Livingston County Community Alliance and their Red Barrel program, all 29 MSP posts across the state, including the Alpena Post, now serve as collection points for unused prescription drugs. Medications can be surrendered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., excluding holidays. No appointment is needed. Liquids, inhalers, patches or syringes are not accepted.

At the current time, Alpena Regional Medical Center and LeFave Pharmacy in Alpena are the only locations in the Alpena Post area that will accept liquid controlled substances and patches.

At the post we have had citizens come in and ask the question about returning unopened medications to the pharmacy or giving the medication to a family member or friend who have a valid prescription for that specific medication.

It would be great to be able to help others who may not be able to obtain the medications or just to simply get your money back for these medications, but pharmacies are not able to accept medications back as a return. There are laws in place that state once the medication leaves the pharmacy it cannot again be offered for sale to another customer.

Giving old or unused prescription medication to a friend or family member with a valid prescription is also a violation of the law. Depending on the type of medication you possess or provide to someone else, it can carry penalties such as monetary fines, jail time, and possibly time in prison.

Ashley Simpson is a community service trooper for the MSP Alpena Post. If you have a question for Trooper Simpson, you can email her at asktroopersimpson@gmail.com.