Students Assist with DEA Drug Take Back Initiative

Student pharmacists staffed four local collection sites to assist DEA and local law enforcement agencies with collecting expired and unused medications

By Monique Mounce
May 15, 2012

Student pharmacists from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy played an active role in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) fourth Drug Take Back Day on April 28,by assisting at four local sites, including the University of Maryland campus in Baltimore, with the collection of expired medication and educating the public about medication safety. In collaboration with the Student Section of the Maryland Public Health Association, the American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists’ Generation Rx Initiative, and Students Promoting Awareness, first-year student pharmacist Dianna Staves spearheaded this awareness event.

Students staffed two collection sites in Howard County, which were coordinated by the Howard County Police Department. At the Long Reach Village and Harper’s Choice Village collection sites in Columbia, students spoke about the Generation Rx Initiative and the importance of medication disposal as a method to prevent drug abuse. Students also had the opportunity to provide information to residents about services provided by the Maryland Poison Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012. These two sites collected more than eight bags containing approximately 25 pounds of expired over-the-counter and prescription medications in each bag, including a bottle of Tylenol that expired in 1995.

In collaboration with the Rockville City Police, student pharmacists at the School’s Shady Grove campus collected more than four bags of expired medications at the police station in Rockville. At the UM Police Force Operation Center on Pine Street in Baltimore, student pharmacists, Hoai-An Truong, PharmD, MPH, assistant professor of pharmaceutical health services research, a campus safety officer, and a local DEA agent all worked together to collect approximately 20 pounds of medication. They were also able to educate Baltimore residents about Generation Rx and the Maryland Poison Center.

According to the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control, the Take Back events are a significant piece of the White House’s prescription drug abuse prevention strategy entitled Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis, which was developed and promoted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Health care providers, such as pharmacists, are integral to reducing rates of drug abuse by providing education to their patients and the public.

For Cindy Liu, a third-year student pharmacist at Shady Grove, volunteering at a prescription drug collection event was a new experience for her. “Overall, it was an enjoyable event. I learned a lot about this program from speaking with an officer from the Rockville City Police,” she said.

Hana Kim, vice president of Phi Lambda Sigma and a third-year student pharmacist, said, “This year’s event was a great success because our students were able to participate and raise awareness about the importance of safe medication disposal. In the past, attempting to establish a new collection site was difficult because of the various agencies that are involved in coordinating these events. I am very glad that as a part of her PLS Leadership Series Project, Dianna Staves was able to get the agencies to collaborate with us in order to create this innovative opportunity for student pharmacists on our very own campus.”

Corporal John Jones of the UM Campus Police Force felt the event was a success and that it “would not have been possible without the assistance of all of the dedicated School of Pharmacy students.” UM police hope to coordinate another event in 2012 with the help of student pharmacists so that all employees and students associated with the University of Maryland will be able to properly dispose of their expired medications. They also hope to encourage residents in areas surrounding the campus to participate in the next Drug Take Back Day.