A prescription drug and over-the-counter medication turn-in was held Oct. 15, 2010 at the Panzer Mall to kick off Drug Awareness Month in October.
The event was co-sponsored by the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Army Substance Abuse Program and Stuttgart Army Health Clinic Pharmacy.
The prescription drug turn-in was an effort by the garrison to prevent the misuse of drugs and raise awareness about the dangers of unused prescription drugs and their abuse among teens.
Parents can immediately reduce teen access to prescription drugs in the home by properly disposing of the drugs. More teens abuse prescription drugs more than any other illegal drug, except marijuana.
Unused prescription drugs are a danger to children and a danger to the environment. Drugs can reach waterways when they are flushed down toilets into sewers and septic systems or when they are thrown in the trash. Not all drugs can be treated at traditional wastewater treatment plants. Consequently, they leach into surface water or infiltrate groundwater.
For those who missed the event, turn in outdated prescription drugs to the Stuttgart Army Health Clinic Pharmacy.