Penny MacWhirter and Holly Smith, LJI Journalists
LISTUGUJ: – On the afternoon of July 17, a successful prescription drug drop-off drive was held at the former church site in Listuguj. This initiative was designed to support safe disposal practices for unused or expired medications.
To maximize outreach and encourage participation, the drive was promoted through a range of channels including social media, the local radio station and Listuguj’s digital message board encouraging residents of the Indigenous community to drop off expired or unused prescriptions; over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, cough suppressants and sleep aids; vitamins; and other products such as diaper rash creams and hand sanitizers.
“Why is disposal of medication important? In addition to expired medications no longer being effective, having fewer medicines in your home also means having fewer safety risks,” states one of the advertisements for the drop-off activity.
The event was a partnership between the CLSC, Listuguj Wellness, Listuguj Police and Listuguj Health and Community Services.
Michael Isaac Jr., Communications Manager for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, says, “Multiple containers of solids, liquids and needles, such as those used for insulin were collected.” He adds that “the total amount was brought to the CLSC, and they sent them off for disposal.”
The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants and partners suggested that similar initiatives should be held more frequently. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is currently conducting an online survey to determine at what frequency drop-off drives should be held. According to Michael Issac Jr, the feedback has been taken seriously, and plans are underway to organize additional events and focus groups through the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative (LWRI).
The LWRI is an initiative that is supported and endorsed by the Listuguj Chief and Council. It focuses on the well-being and health of all community members making education, resources and overall support available and accessible to all ages. In addition, the LWRI promotes a cultural and holistic approach to wellness, empowering community members to overcome substance abuse and addictions, while advocating for positive change.
While it is too early to fully assess the long-term impacts of the drive on the community, the success of the event highlights the community’s commitment to responsible medication management.
Why safe disposal of expired or unused medication matters
The medicine cabinets in many households have expired or unused medications. The medication could be leftover following the death of a loved one, a prescription that was not finished due to a reaction, among other reasons. Disposal of the medication is usually free and can prevent accident or deliberate intoxication. In addition, it can reduce inappropriate self-medication, adverse reactions and harmful interactions.
In order to reduce the amount of over-the-counter medications in your home, don’t immediately reach for the largest size, but rather the one that meets your needs, taking into account the expiry date indicated on the package.
Proper disposal of unused medication is important for several reasons:
• Preventing misuse: Unused medication left in home cabinets are a common source of prescription drug misuse. By safely disposing of these drugs, the risk of misuse by individuals, including children and teenagers, is reduced.
• Protect the environment: Improper disposal of medications, like flushing them down the toilet, can lead to contamination of water and is harmful to wildlife.
• Overdose risk: Many overdose deaths are linked to the misuse of prescription medications, By ensuring that unused drugs are properly disposed of, the likelihood of accidental overdoses is minimized.
Drug disposal procedures in Quebec
According to the Government of Quebec, expired or unused medication can be returned to any pharmacy in Quebec, at any time of the year, particularly:
• Once a year, after sorting through your medicine cabinet. Choose a time of the year that is easy for you to remember, such as during your fall or spring cleaning;
• After a loved one has died, return his or her medication;
• When there is a change in dosage or medical treatment;
• At the end of a medical treatment.
Be proactive and return your prescriptions sooner, rather than later. The primary types of medications that should be disposed of are medications sold under a prescription or controlled by a pharmacist, including opioids for pain or cough relief; over-the-counter medications; natural health products; and antibiotics. Medications purchased from a veterinarian clinic must be returned to a veterinarian.
In addition, injectable medications, syringes, needles, lancets used for glucose testing must be returned in a special container. You can obtain and return your sharps disposal container from your local pharmacy, CLSC or hospital.