Nonprofit partners with local pharmacies to prevent prescription drug abuse

Brookshire Grocery Company pharmacies have teamed up with local nonprofit, Next Step Community Solutions, to provide information to patients about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and how to properly dispose of unwanted prescriptions.

“We are so excited about this partnership and Brookshire Grocery Company’s enthusiasm for helping the community,” said Rebecca Smith, coalition coordinator for Next Step. “Many people don’t realize how dangerous it can be to keep unused prescriptions in their home. Getting this information out there will mean fewer chances for prescriptions to be abused and create addiction.”

At certain times of the year, pharmacists at Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods and FRESH by Brookshire’s stores will attach a sheet of information to prescriptions for new patients with a controlled substance prescription. The sheet will contain information, provided by Next Step, about the dangers of sharing a controlled substance prescription, as well as why and how to dispose of unused prescriptions in a timely manner.

“Brookshire Grocery Company’s pharmacies are glad to help in this communication effort,” said Lisa Glorioso, BGC’s vice president for pharmacy operations. “We want to help educate people about the dangers and provide information on proper disposal to avoid any potential misuse of prescription drugs,” she added.

Prescription drug abuse is becoming a major health issue across the county; according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National 2013 Survey on Drug Use and Health, between 6 and 7 million Americans, age 12 and older, have misused a prescription controlled substance in the past month.

“About 60 percent of teens who have abused prescription drugs say that they get them from their parents’ medicine cabinets,” Smith said. “Prescription drug addiction is a major issue across the country right now. If we can encourage residents to keep their medication in a secure location and dispose of them whenever they’re no longer needed, we can prevent that medication from falling into the wrong hands.”

The safest and most environmentally- friendly way to dispose of unused prescriptions is to give them to law enforcement who are able to incinerate them. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) holds takeback events twice a year, in the fall and in the spring, where residents can anonymously drop off their unused prescriptions for free, no questions asked. Patients can also ask their Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods or FRESH by Brookshire’s pharmacist about safe disposal options.

About Next Step Community Solutions

Next Step Community Solutions has three youth substance abuse prevention coalitions who help combat these myths. East Texas Substance Abuse Coalition covers Smith, Rusk, Cherokee, Henderson and Van Zandt counties. Smart Start Coalition covers Marion, Harrison, and Gregg counties. Northeast Texas Coalition Against Substance Abuse covers Titus, Morris, Cass, Franklin and Bowie counties.

The coalitions work with community members to address the specific issues in their communities that are causing teens to abuse substances. Simultaneously, the coalitions are always working to educate the community on the serious issue and consequences of youth substance abuse. For more information, or to join a coalition, go to www.nextstepcommunitysolutions. com or call 903-939-9010.