Medication safety starts at home

MT. PLEASANT — Prescription drug misuse continues to be a serious concern in Henry County, where local officials are taking action to ensure families of all ages understand the risks that come from unsecured medications in the home. With a sharp focus on prevention, education, and safe disposal, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office is leading a county-wide effort to protect residents — young and old alike.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 60% of people who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or relative — often from a home medicine cabinet.

Supported by funds from national opioid settlements, the Sheriff’s Office continues efforts to combat this misuse. One way they do so is through the distribution of free drug disposal pouches and a secure prescription drop box at its office in Mt. Pleasant. officials stress that these services are only part of the solution. Just as important is their ongoing educational outreach, which aims to prevent prescription drug misuse before it ever begins.

At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, Henry County Veterans Affairs Director Roger Pittsenbarger spoke candidly about the role that older adults — and veterans in particular — can unintentionally play in the misuse cycle.

“Us older folks, we have a medicine chest, and our kids know exactly where that is — and what’s in it,” he said. “In order to avoid things like that, there’s certain securities you need to take out.”

According to Iowa Health and Human Services, Rural areas in Iowa — including counties like Henry — experience higher rates of prescription drug misuse per capita compared to urban centers, due to limited access to treatment and older populations with chronic pain prescriptions.

Additionally, the Center for Disease Control states that older adults, ages 55 and over, account for one in four opioid prescriptions nationally and area t higher risk for accidental misuse or diversion by family members.

Pittsenbarger added, “You all know that the VA is probably the biggest drug dealer in the world. They certainly do give out a lot of pills … and yes, the veterans need it and they deserve that, but the younger kids take it for other reasons.”

His comments drew attention to the volume of prescriptions managed by older adults and the potential for misuse when those medications are left accessible.

Pittsenbarger said this became very apparent to him after attending an educational presentation put on by the Sheriff’s Office. After this realization, he made a request that they do a similar presentation at one of the monthly Veterans’ Breakfasts at the VFW.

Education remains an important part of the Sheriff’s Office approach to combating drug misuse and participating in these types of engagements helps them deliver needed information.

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In addition to the education Pittsenbarger received, the department recently participated in Henry County Public Health’s Stride into Summer event, where Chief Deputy Jesse Bell handed out disposal pouches and shared safety tips with families — many with young children in attendance. These efforts demonstrate a clear commitment to reaching residents at all life stages.

The Sheriff’s Office offers two primary disposal options to the public. A secure drop box is available year-round at 800 South Grand Avenue in Mt. Pleasant. For those preferring at-home disposal, Deterra pouches are offered for free.

These pouches safely deactivate pills, patches, liquids, creams, and films. Users simply place the medication in the pouch, add water, seal and shake it, then dispose of it in the trash. Once sealed, the medication is rendered chemically inactive and cannot be reused or abused.

The pouches are also available through local partners including the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and ADDS (Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services). Distribution began at the 2023 Stride into Summer walk and has since become a staple of the county’s public safety tool kit.

County officials continue to urge residents to clean out their medicine cabinets, secure any medications in use, and talk openly with family members about the dangers of prescription drug misuse. Older adults in particular are encouraged to be proactive, not only in how they manage their prescriptions but in how they protect younger generations who may have easy access to leftover or unused medications.

To drop off unused prescriptions or pick up a free disposal pouch, visit the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Mt. Pleasant or call (319) 385-2712 for more information.

With the National Community Pharmacists Association reporting only one in 10 households properly disposing of leftover medications, the continued education from Henry County Sheriff’s Office and others on medication disposal remains necessary.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com