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Friday, November 12, 2010

Medicine Chest Challenge: Turn in unused medicines Saturday


Judging from this artwork, what age group would you say is being targeted?

Plainfielders are urged to turn in unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs at the County Office building at Park-Madison tomorrow from 10 AM to 2 PM. For a full list of
Union County dropoff locations, see here.

The program is sponsored by the NJ Sheriffs Association.

I got that blurry feeling when preparing this post and wondered whether I was the victim of some out-of-date item.

The problem seems to be the disconnected marketing messages being projected.

The challenge's website (see here) and the media pieces on the campaign (see the Courier's here) emphasize that the program is designed to keep prescription drugs from being abused by children -- including urging participants to talk with their children about the dangers (real) of prescription drug abuse.

I get the blurry-eyed feeling though when looking at the graphic (see above) on the group's website, which is obviously pitched to OLDER FOLKS. It would more likely be the GRANDCHILDREN or even GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN of the woman pictured in the header graphic who would need to be warned.

If that lady needs to talk to her children, I would guess she is about 30 years too late.

Nevertheless, it is an important problem, and also for the additional reason that many older people hoard medications, sometimes using them improperly and endangering themselves.

So, whether you want to foil your kids or protect yourself, it's a good idea to inventory your prescription drugs and weed out the unused, unwanted and out-of-date medications and take them to the collection point at the Union County office building at Park Madison on Saturday.

You'll be glad you did.



-- Dan Damon [follow]

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3 comments:

Rob said...

Yes...keep it out of the hands of kids and the water supply!

Anonymous said...

this is absurd. how many county employees get free drugs? LOL!

Bob said...

Throwing away drugs is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. Yes, parents need to stop being their kid's biggest drug dealer, but don't throw your drugs away.

Instead give them to the Zarephath Health Center, which provides free health care and prescriptions for people who don't have health insurance and can't afford care. Dr. John Eck, who was a pharmacist before becoming an MD will sort the drugs that can be used by the Center. Call them at 732-537-0737. Leave a message, as the Center is only open Mon. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wed. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I can also deliver them, as I am a volunteer at the center and know what a wonderful job we do for so many. My email is rhb512000@yahoo.com. Don't throw away what others are desperate for! Please