Campaign curbs abuse of prescription drugs

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Across the nation, at least 4,000 children and young adults abuse prescription drugs every day. To combat that, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency are conducting the National Prescription Drugs Take Back Initiative for the third year. The effort allows for the community to properly dispose of medications that are either expired or no longer being used by the owner. 

Guam Pharmacists Association's Karen Song said, "You're dealing with having allergic reactions you are not aware of, there could be an inactive ingredient, a dye, you don't know and that could cause death…every drug, including controlled substances come with side effects especially with controlled substances can cause respiratory depression, you take the wrong dose and the person will end up in the ER." 

As part of the campaign, residents can drop-off their old prescription drugs this Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the Micronesia Mall, Agana Shopping Center and at the Andersen BX and Navy Exchange. No questions asked.