Nursing students initiate prescription take-back
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — As part of their teaching project, a group of senior nursing students at Northern Maine Community College are working with the Presque Isle Police Department on a prescription drug take-back and awareness effort.
The students will create an educational display describing the widespread problem of misusing and abusing expired and unneeded prescription medications, while the police department will collect the drugs during The Aroostook Medical Center’s Take Flight event Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at the Northern Maine Regional Airport.
Megan Blosser, Stephen Davis and Eleonora Toussaint had chosen their senior project and, while researching it, discovered that the 10th National Drug Take-Back is scheduled for the same day as Take Flight. The student nurses then got in touch with the Presque Isle Police Department to see if the department would be willing to hold a drug take-back in conjunction with their display.
“This is a very worthwhile project and I’m glad these NMCC students took the initiative to benefit the community,” said Laurie Kelley, PIPD deputy chief. “Since our last take-back day in April, we have collected between 500 and 700 pounds of prescription medications from the surrounding area.
“People can bring them in to the PD anytime,” Kelley noted, “and our booth at the Take Flight event will be another chance for folks to dispose of their unwanted drugs.”
“Medicines that grow old in home cabinets, especially painkillers, are very susceptible to theft or may be given or sold to family and friends,” reported Davis. “On average, 44 people in the U.S. die each day from accidental poisonings or overdose of prescription painkillers. As student nurses, we’re very interested in getting the word out about how to properly dispose of these medications.”
Toussaint said, “We want to encourage everyone to safeguard drugs at home, especially when there are children in the house. Keep track of the quantity and control access at all times.”
“I was surprised to find out that Maine residents returned 19,000 pounds of unused prescription drugs in the September 2014 Take-Back Day,” said Blosser. “This was the 10th highest state total in the nation.”
“It is gratifying to see future healthcare professionals not only recognize this problem, but take measures to both raise public awareness and do something to help make a difference,” said Billie Porter, PharmD, TAMC pharmacy manager.
“We are very proud of our students for the work they accomplish in the community while earning their degree at NM,” said Eileen McDougal, RN, NMCC nursing instructor. “All 34 of our Level II nursing students will be participating in the Take Flight event.”
The student nurses’ displays and the police take-back unit will be among dozens of demonstrations, activities, special tours, vendors, and ceremonies held during Take Flight, which will take place at the airport from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
