PROPER DISPOSAL OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS DISCUSSED DURING SENIOR-WISE

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(Casper, WY) -- Did you know that in Casper, WY, the third most abused drug in the community is prescription medication? Casper overall is a pretty safe community but unfortunately there are some drug abuse issues here. That was the message shared by Casper Police Sgt. Joe Nickerson (pictured above) recently, during his presentation at Senior-Wise at the Casper Senior Center. He said marijuana is the most commonly abused drug and methamphetamine is second. This all poses challenges for local law enforcement. "The problem with prescription drugs," he said, "is if we find a guy with marijuana or meth, those are against the law and we can arrest them. But someone who is addicted to prescription medication is harder to evaluate because they may have that prescription legally." 

The way the Casper police department combats this problem is by collecting all unused prescriptions so they can be disposed of safely and properly. Sgt. Nickerson said flushing them down the toilet is the most common practice but that's not a good idea because medications flushed down the toilet can adversely affect our water supply. "City water treatment plants are designed to remove harmful bacteria from our water supply and are not designed to remove some of the chemicals found in prescription medications," he cautioned. "The bottom line is, please don't flush unused or out of date medications down the toilet."

The Casper Police Department has a drop box available in the lobby of the police headquarters at 201 North David Street and the lobby is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "It's a big green box," Sgt. Nickerson said, "that looks like a mail box. Just open the drawer, drop your medications inside, and they'll fall into a locked container. That way the drugs are kept off the street."

Seniors are a popular demographic for those who would abuse prescription medications and some people who come to visit you in your home may not have the purest of motives. "We've seen cases where a grandchild comes to visit and brings a friend," he told the group. "Then while you're talking to your grandchild the friend leaves and snoops around the house looking for prescription medications." He said this happens most often with high school or junior high school kids. Prescription medication theft also occurs during real estate open houses, he said. Sometimes a criminal will attend an open house, excuse himself to use the bathroom and then open the medicine cabinet to look for drugs. 

If you are unable to leave your house the Casper Police Department will come to your house to collect your unused our out of date medications. Call the non-emergency number at (307) 235-8278.

Senior-Wise is held Tuesday at 12:30pm at the Casper Senior Center.