DEA Brings in Record Amount of Unused Prescription Drugs on National Prescription Take Back Day

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 of its law enforcement and community partners collected more unused prescription drugs than at any of the 12 previous National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events.

On Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. Marking the 13th National Prescription Take Back Day since September 2010, these events have altogether collected 8,103,363 pounds (4,052 tons) of prescription drugs.  Locally the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office collected 4 pounds that day and 72 pounds through the drop box at the Sheriff’s Office. 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

"Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands.  That's dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.  “That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs." 

DEA’s next National Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28, 2017.

In the more than two years since new regulations made the disposal of controlled prescription drugs easier for patients and their caregivers, law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics have begun continuous collection of these medications. Between Take Back Days please utilized the Drop Box at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office during business hours for all medications or Lee’s Pharmacy for non-controlled medications.  Neither of these places can take back sharps/needles.  Please discuss with your doctor how to dispose of your sharps/needles. 

For more information on how to dispose of your unused or expired medications please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.  You may also want to visit the DEA Site at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/. 

Article from the DEA Press Release on May 8, 2017 in Washington D.C.

Working Together to Make Van Buren County SAFE

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is working to combat underage drinking. Residents may not realize that preventing alcohol abuse begins with effective policies and procedures. “It’s common to think of law enforcement as the primary way to stop teen drinking through arrests and citations,” said Kris Rankin, Van Buren County’s Iowa Partnerships for Success Coordinator. “It is clear that law enforcement is a vital part of the network that is working to prevent and stop underage drinking and youth binge drinking; however, actions taken at the city and private facility level are also key to creating a healthy and safe environment for teens and adults.”

A good example of this is Keosauqua’s Bandshell Rental Policy that requires adult supervision of events with participants under 21 years of age, that no alcohol be provided to anyone under the age of 21 at an event, a higher deposit for events with alcohol being served or sold at them, that alcohol be consumed in a fenced portion of the property where participants under the age of 21 are not allowed, and if cash bars are used, they must provide proof of dram shop insurance and have a valid liquor sales license. 

The SAFE Coalition is available to work with residents, organizations and community leaders to prevent underage drinking and to help develop appropriate policies for their location. Residents are encouraged to learn about and advocate for strong alcohol-related policies. The coalition offers free Merchant Alcohol Trainings where servers are trained in the best practices of alcohol service to keep alcohol out of the hands of youth in the county.  The coalition also has an ID Scanner that can be rented to use during any event in the Van Buren County area. 

The SAFE Coalition received the Iowa Partnerships for Success Grant in February, 2015 to address underage drinking and underage binge drinking in Van Buren County.  The Iowa Partnerships for Success Grant is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and is administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

For more information on underage drinking, visit http://www.whatdoyouthrowaway.org/ or contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com.  

Adventureland Tickets - Dates of Use Extended

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition has discounted tickets for Adventureland.  The cost per ticket is $22.  The tickets are good any day until June 30, 2017.  This is due to the inability of the park to open during the first Substance Free weekend due to inclement weather.  These tickets to Adventureland are to increase awareness of Drug Prevention Programs in the state of Iowa.    

This Substance Free event is a great way to spend a fun filled day with family and friends.  You may purchase these tickets for your entire family/group while supplies last.  Admission will not be available at this price at Adventureland during this event.  If you are interested in going to Adventureland between now and June 30^th please contact the SAFE Coalition by phone at 319-293-6412.  

Graduation 2017!!!

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition has found that one of the largest problems facing our community today is the underage use of alcohol.  As graduation time draws near, we encourage all families with high school seniors to not provide alcohol at your graduation parties as the parties are in honor of your student.  Also please take time to discuss the potential dangers that occur when alcohol is available at graduation celebrations or other parties your senior may attend these last days of the school year. They should consider the consequences they could face for consuming alcohol under the legal age.

Underage drinking can have varied consequences for the youth of Van Buren County.  Making the decision to consume alcohol under the age of 21 could take away the chances of receiving financial aid in college.  If convicted of alcohol use, it will be on their permanent record, which is something Federal Aid takes into serious consideration.  They may not be able to practice the following careers in Iowa if convicted as well: accountant, architect, attorney, chiropractor, dentist, engineer, law enforcement, medical doctor, nurse, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician assistant, psychologist, real estate broker, court reporter, social reporter, teacher, or veterinarian. 

Most people would never think of violating laws related to drug use, but the community norm regarding use of alcohol is often thought of differently.  Clear expectations and boundaries are important components of healthy community norms and values.  Positive adult role models also play a significant role in establishing these norms.  While it is legal for adults to consume alcohol, graduation parties are NOT held in honor of adults.  Such celebrations are held in honor of the young person for their achievements and graduation from high school.

Please examine your personal beliefs about alcohol use by young people and the example set by our community during graduation time.  We are hoping you will plan to join the many families who are celebrating their student’s graduation in an alcohol-free environment. Congratulations and best wishes to your high school senior and your entire family on behalf of the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition!

For more information about underage drinking or the SAFE Coalition please feel free to contact the office at 319-293-6412 or via email at info@vbsafecoalition.com.  If you are interested in what the SAFE Coalition has been doing please check it out on the web: www.vbsafecoalition.com or Van Buren County SAFE Coalition on Face Book!

Cinco de Mayo

. Strike up the mariachi band and prepare for the night’s fiesta—it’s Cinco de Mayo and it’s time to have fun! Prepare by designating a sober driver before you head out on the town. Having just one is one too many if you are the designated driver. #BuzzedDriving is drunk driving. 

Adventureland Tickets - Dates for Use Extended

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition has discounted tickets for Adventureland.  The cost per ticket is $22.  The tickets are good any day until June 30, 2017.  This is due to the inability of the park to open during the first Substance Free weekend due to inclement weather.  These tickets to Adventureland are to increase awareness of Drug Prevention Programs in the state of Iowa.

This Substance Free event is a great way to spend a fun filled day with family and friends.  You may purchase these tickets for your entire family/group while supplies last.  Admission will not be available at this price at Adventureland during this event.  If you are interested in going to Adventureland between now and June 30^th please contact the SAFE Coalition by phone at 319-293-6412. 

It’s Up to All of Us to Prevent Underage Drinking in Van Buren County

In 2013, nearly a quarter of people aged 12 to 20 (8.7 million, or 22.7 % of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month.  The consequences of underage drinking can be devastating; each year, more than 4,300 people under age 21 die from homicides, suicides, car crashes, and drowning related to drinking alcohol.

Media campaigns are one effective way of counteracting advertising and messages in entertainment media that glorify underage drinking. However, kids also deserve to hear positive messages from people they know and who care about them. Talking to youth about substance use and abuse and being involved in their lives can make a difference. For example, the frequency of binge drinking, illicit drug use, and cigarette smoking is lower among youth aged 12-17 whose parents always or sometimes engage in monitoring behaviors, like helping with homework, compared to youth whose parents seldom or never engage in such behaviors.

The words and actions of one person can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Every day, parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders in Van Buren County can make a difference by having conversations with youth about substance use and by modeling healthy choices and behaviors.  On the 2014 Iowa Youth Survey 15% of 11th Grade Students in Van Buren County reported having five or more drinks of alcohol in a row at least once in the past 30 days and 27% of them also reported having had at least one drink on at least one occasion in the past 30 days.

As individuals and as a community, we can help prevent underage drinking by being involved in young people’s lives; identifying resources, support systems, and alternatives for youth in the community; and raising awareness about the importance of prevention.

As part of National Prevention Week—a national observance sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The SAFE Coalition will embrace the National Prevention Week 2017 theme, The Voice of One, the Power of All. This theme highlights the important role that individuals and communities alike have in helping people lead healthy, productive lives and in raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and promotion of mental health.

Through this article the coalition would like to spark conversations about underage drinking and support healthy decision-making among youth.  This is a great opportunity for members of Van Buren County to raise awareness about this important issue, emphasize healthy choices, and encourage each other to make a meaningful difference in our own lives, our children’s lives, and our community.  Each of us has the power to make a difference in reducing underage drinking. Together, we can achieve even more.

The SAFE Coalition can be reached at info@vbsafecoalition.com or 319-293-6412 for more information on National Prevention Week or helping the youth of Van Buren County to understand the dangers of underage drinking.