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SALT LAKE CITY — Prescription medications cause more deaths in Utah than illicit drugs, regardless of how they are obtained, according to the state health department.
"This is a very real epidemic and it warrants a strong public health response," said Utah Department of Health injury epidemiologist Anna Fondario. She said prescription drug-related deaths "can be prevented."
As part of a nationwide attempt to collect unused and potentially harmful medications, police departments and pharmacies across the state hosted events to "take back" excess quantities on Saturday. The service is, however, available at some of the same locations year-round.
Proper disposal of spare prescription drugs could prevent prescription drug abuse, theft and harm to the environment, as well as self-harm through uninformed self-medicating and suicide attempts.
Collection services are free and anonymous, no questions asked, Fondario said.
In 2014, 344 people died from prescription drug overdose in Utah, an average of 29 people each month and the fifth highest rate in the nation, according to the health department. Data show that most overdoses related to prescription drugs involve pain medications such as oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone and fentanyl.
The state health department reports that in the past decade, prescription pain medications have been responsible for more drug deaths in Utah than all other drug categories, including heroin and cocaine combined.
Community participation in "take back" events, said CEO of Davis Behavior Health Brandon Hatch, helps "reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, as well as misuse and abuse of prescription drugs."
About 68 percent of Utahns surveyed by the health department last year claimed to have kept leftover prescription pain medications in their homes. And about 74 percent of those surveyed reported to have used prescription pain medications that were not prescribed to them.
Prescription medications, composed of chemical ingredients, can be dangerous when stored or disposed of improperly.
Many drugs end up getting flushed down a toilet or tossed in the garbage, according to Lewis Garret, director of the Davis County Health Department. He said both methods "are potential safety and health hazards impacting the environment."
"We encourage everyone to take advantage of (take back events) to make our homes and communities a safer place to live," Garrett said.
This is a very real epidemic and it warrants a strong public health response,
–Anna Fondario, Utah Department of Health injury epidemiologist
The national Drug Enforcement Administration hosts annual events to encourage proper disposal of medications, but individuals can contact local police departments and pharmacies to inquire about the availability of proper disposal devices.
Last year, Americans turned in 309 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 state and local partners. Over the last eight take back events, the agency has safely collected more than 2,400 tons of prescription medications.
Permanent collection bins are available in locations across the state and can be found online, at http://useonlyasdirected.org/drop-off-locator/, or by calling the Utah Department of Environmental Quality hotline at 1-800-458-0145.
Law enforcement and health officials caution people to never take prescription pain medications that are not prescribed, or in higher doses than is prescribed. Sharing prescription pain medications is also against the law.
General dosing information includes warnings to not mix prescription pain meds with alcohol consumption or with other depressants, such as anti-anxiety medications, sleep aids or cold medicines. Health care providers should be made aware of all medicines and supplements that are taken by patients.
"Educational programs for those at greatest risk, improved clinical care, ongoing data collection efforts to inform prevention and intervention programs, and strong policies have been shown to be effective in curbing this crisis," Fondario said.
