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What is Medication Take Back Program?
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Too many times, prescription drugs get into the wrong hands and that can be very dangerous. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. That's why there are Medication take-back programs to safely dispose of expired and leftover medications that are no longer needed. The medications are deposited into a bin that is designed to prevent theft. Once the container is full, trained staff seal the box and send it to a secure storage facility. When the boxes are ready for disposal, they are shipped to a disposal facility where they are destroyed in high temperature incinerators to protect the environment.
This year, National Prescription Take-Back day is April 27, 2019 from 10a.m-2p.m. This event allows people to take all unwanted prescription drugs to a take-back location near them, where they can safely dispose of the medications with no questions asked. The goal of this project is to prevent drug addiction and deaths caused by overdoses. The last Take-Back Day brought in more than 900,000 pounds of unwanted or expired prescription medications. There are also year round drop-off programs, usually located at pharmacies or police stations.
visit
https://takebackday.dea.gov/
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Case #1
A 13 year old male was dared to drink the liquid in a vape pen and began vomiting and sweating within minutes. He called the poison help hotline 45 minutes later because he thought he was going to die. He was referred to the local emergency room for evaluation. He began to seize upon arrival to the hospital but fortunately, was treated and released the following day.
Case #2
A couple of parents were hosting a party and, while everyone was taking pictures, a child got into an alcoholic beverage someone had left on the floor. The parents called the Poison Help hotline were they were referred to 911 due to the amount of alcohol the child had drunk. The child's glucose level was very low caused by the alcohol intoxication. He was treated for hypoglycemia at the hospital and was discharged the following day.
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Vaping has grown in popularity with the rise of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which were introduced to the mass market in the U.S. in 2007. Vaping devices vary in design some resembling traditional cigarettes while others resemble pens.
Alcohol is also another substance that continues to cause lots of harm. It is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States. Drinking anything in excess that contains alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning, especially as prom season is approaching. Below is some information from the Texas Poison Center Network to help you to better understand these topics.
VAPING
What is Vaping?
According to the FDA, among middle and high school students, 3.62 million were current users of e-cigarettes in 2018. Vaping, also known as electronic cigarettes, are battery operated devices that people use to inhale aerosol, which typically contains
nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Regardless of their design and appearance, these devices generally operate in a similar manner and are made of similar components.
How does vaping work?
It is usually composed of a container that holds the liquid solution or "e-juice,"
which is usually refillable, that contains nicotine, along with flavoring and some other chemicals. The liquid is also known as e-juice or vape juice. It also has a power source and a mouthpiece that is used to inhale the substance.
that has the nicotine which
is refillable, along with flavoring and any other chemicals. The liquid is also known as e-juice or vape juice. It also has a power source, and mouthpiece that is used to inhale the substance.
How does it affect teens?
E-cigarettes are very popular among teens and are also the most commonly used and easily accessible form of nicotine. Teens are often under the impression that the liquid used for vaping only contains water and flavoring; not knowing that it usually also contains nicotine. Early evidence suggests that e-cigarette use among preteens and teens may lead to the use of other nicotine containing products, including cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and premature death.
What are the side effects of vaping?
Nicotine is the main ingredient in e-cigarettes, which is known to be very addictive. A low dose can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and eye irritation, while a higher dose can lead to high blood pressure, tachycardia, and even seizures. The FDA reported the presence of cancer-causing substances called nitrosamines in some of the products. In addition, some e-cigarettes have caught fire and/or exploded because of faulty batteries or malfunctioning battery chargers.
So what about JUULS?
Juuls have become a very popular kind of vape. It's a small, sleek device that resembles a computer USB flash drive. Its subtle design makes it easy to hide, which helps explain why it has become so popular among middle and high school students. The Juul was first released in 2015.
Until recently, it was available in different flavors. It can contain high doses of nicotine, with one flavor cartridge containing about th
e same amount of nicotine as an entire
pack of cigarettes.
What to do if you've been exposed?
One could be exposed to the liquid nicotine in an e-cigarette by drinking it, spilling it on the skin, or breathing in too much vapor. If someone has been exposed to nicotine, especially a child, call the Poison Help hotline at
1-800-222-1222 right away.
ALCOHOL
Drinking any product that contains alcohol such as mouthwash, hand sanitizers, perfume, can lead to alcohol poisoning. Too much alcohol can he hazardous to your health.
What does alcohol do to the body?
Alcohol depresses the nervous system, which controls functions such as breathing; too much alcohol can stop these functions. A person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can continue to rise as the alcohol is absorbed, even while he or she is passed out. Even after a person stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.
What are signs of alcohol poisoning?
- continuous vomiting
- Seizure
- Mental confusion
- Slow and irregular breathing
- Low body temperature
What should I do if I suspect someone has had too much?
If someone is experiencing any of the symptoms above, call 911 right away.
Free, confidential, expert medical advice, 24/7/365
1-800-222-1222
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