Prescription drug safety in homes

The most common way people age 12 and over obtain prescription drugs is from a friend or family member. Over three million U.S. teens abuse prescription drugs. In Marshfield, 9.3 percent of private and public high school students admit to taking prescription painkillers without a doctor’s prescription in their lifetime, according to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of 562 10th and 12th grade students.

Securing your prescription drugs is one easy way to prevent them from getting into unwanted hands. Prescription drug lockboxes are meant to secure prescriptions in consumer’s homes in order to prevent diversion of prescriptions for nonmedical purposes. Lockboxes are specifically meant for those prescribed narcotics but can also be used for other prescription medications.  Prescription drug lockboxes can be equipped with a combination lock or key.

Remember to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions at the following locations: Marshfield Police Department and Marshfield Clinic’s Marshfield Center First Floor and Central Avenue pharmacies. For a list of accepted items please visit: http://marshfield4youth.org/macy-materials/

Naloxone – A life-saving medicine

In 2016, Wisconsin reported 827 overdose deaths. Communities can eliminate this statistic by being prepared. Naloxone (Narcan®) is a life-saving overdose prevention medicine. This medicine can be injected intravenously or sprayed up the nasal passageway to reverse symptoms associated with an opioid-related overdose. These symptoms may include drowsiness, slowed breathing or unconsciousness.  Remember to always call 911 first before administering Naloxone.

Get the facts:

1. Wisconsin’s Good Samaritan law protects the victim – under certain circumstances – and the person seeking medical help for the victim from drug possession charges.
2. You do not need a prescription to purchase Naloxone. You can purchase this medicine at your local pharmacy.
3. Naloxone does not have a potential for abuse or overdose.
4. This medicine does not work in the absence of opioids.

Learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer this life-saving medicine. Join us for an Overdose Prevention Training on Tuesday, March 6 at Center City Church: The Orbital building. Dinner will start at 6 pm with one-hour training to follow. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by contacting MCHS Center for Community Outreach, 715-221-8400. Free doses of Naloxone will be distributed to participants.

Ask the Marshfield Police Department

Question: Where can I get a prescription drug lockbox?

Answer: A limited number of prescription drug lockboxes will be available. Call Marshfield Clinic Health System Center for Community Outreach to request a lockbox.

Question: Why does law enforcement carry Naloxone?

Answer: Law enforcement officers are often the first on scene to incidents involving opioid overdose. In the City of Marshfield, Emergency Medical Staff (EMS) generally arrives shortly after, but in places such as, rural Wood County, EMS may be several minutes away.  Law enforcement can give life-saving doses to individuals before EMS arrives. As brief as that time may be, it can make a difference in saving a life.