How many times have you shelved an old medication and forgotten about it? If you’re like most Americans, it’s probably more than you can count – but Lt. Robbie Lint says that’s a dangerous practice.
“We’ve seen an increase in addiction because of these pills,” Lint said. “The means of opportunity of them being around is something we’d like to avoid, that’s why we have the programs out here now for the take back.”
Oct. 28 is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It’s an event aimed at getting people to turn in unused pills – no questions asked.
Lint said many heroin addicts start with pain pills, but start shooting up when those pills become too expensive or hard to get.
“We’ve seen an extensive increase in our overdose deaths attributed to opioids and heroin,” Lint said. “This year alone we’ve already got 24 documented overdoses with a couple of them still not determined yet, waiting on toxicology results.”
According to Lint, addiction can affect any type of person and any kind of family.
“It doesn’t target one generation or one demographic or anything, it’s widespread,” Lint said. “These are people with educations, college education, high school educations. Low income, middle income, high income. It has no bounds.”
To drop off old, expired or unwanted medications anytime, visit the Lexington Sheriff’s Department’s headquarters on Gibson Road and look for the collection boxes. Pills should be in a container and not loose.