The Secure Medicine Return Bill (2SHB 1165) will ensure that a secure and convenient
statewide medicine return program is provided by medicine producers. These companies
already provide and pay for medicine return in British Columbia and several European
countries such as Spain, Italy and France. We know it works.
The majority of overdoses involve prescription opiates. We need safe disposal methods
to reduce diversion of potent pain relievers like OxyContin and Vicodin. ER visits
in Seattle for non‐medical use of prescription opiates went up 47% from 2004 to
2007. Drug overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of accidental
deaths in Washington. Youth admissions to state funded treatment for prescription
opiates are now 19 times higher than in 2001.
Our medicine cabinets are taking the place of drug dealers. Group Health Cooperative
clinics and select Bartell Drugs locations have continued to collect all other medicines
that are not controlled substances, now totaling 27,000 pounds of unwanted medicines
collected since October 2006. Nursing practice is prevention based. The Secure Medicine
Return Bill is an important step in breaking the chain of access to drugs. Nurses
need an easy, safe, secure and environmentally friendly resource to recommend to
our clients and this bill “fits the bill.”
For more information about legislative efforts or to learn more about safely disposing
of medicine, visit www.medicinereturn.com.
