Creighton University NCPA Chapter
“Medication Take Back Program, Blair, NE”
Written By: Trevor Bertsch, Chapter President
Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing trend in the nation. In Nebraska, data from the Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey indicates that one in ten Nebraska teenagers have admitted to abusing prescription drugs at one time in their life. In Douglas and Sarpy Counties (Omaha metro area), the Nebraska State Patrol documented that there were more fatalities from overdose relating to prescription drugs than traffic accidents.
To combat this unsettling trend, the Creighton University NCPA Student Chapter and the Blair, NE Police Department sponsored a drug take back program on Saturday, April 30 in Blair. Blair is located in Washington County, which is adjacent to Douglas County.
There were 5 Creighton NCPA members who collected medications at the program under the supervision of Dr. C. Curt Barr RP. Those 5 members were Trevor Bertsch, Adam Crabbe, Danielle Fairbanks, Matt Freitag, and Alyssa Wewel. All of the medications were accepted at the Blair Police Station with no questions asked and were then properly disposed of.
There was a large turnout at the event where 361 different medications, dosage forms, and strengths were collected, documented, and destroyed. Most people who participated were happy to part ways with their unneeded prescription medications because they did not know the means of proper medication disposal.
For those who participated, the experience was very rewarding and gave a renewed sense of purpose to help aid in the betterment of the community.
Special thanks to the Blair Police Department, Dr. Barr, and all participants who dropped off their medications. This is a step in the right direction to bring down the staggering statistics of prescription drug abuse.
