NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018 - 27

WINTER/ SPRING 2018

Feature

of us alone are accountable for causing the
epidemic, together we have the ability to
combat it, whether professionally though,
medicine and healing or personally, by
praying fervently and loving deeply. We
should do everything within our individual
capabilities, this combat this evil. We owe
As trusted members of our communities, it to our communities, our children and
we are each responsible to speak out as ourselves to make meaningful steps towards
someone who loves an addict. As providers, stopping the cycle.
we are responsible for actively increasing
our understanding of available treatment
and social supports for those struggling
WILLIAM J. DEMPSEY, M.D.,
with addiction. By educating ourselves on
practices family medicine and is
ever-changing best practices in pain manthe Associate Program Director for
family medicine residents at The
agement strategies and addiction medicine,
Wright Center in Clarks Summit, PA.
we will become more agile as physicians
Dr. Dempsey enjoys biking with his
and better equipped to guide our patients
children and grandchildren on the
from the grips of addiction. Though none
Lackawanna Valley Heritage Trail.

Pain is a subjective symptom resulting from injury
or illness and emotional stress and depression can
accentuate the patient's perception of pain.
prescribing habits. At the same time, health
insurance companies need to step up and
pay for non-opiate medication and treatment
options that will better support patients in
their pursuit of relief. Our communities are
in desperate need of affordable and accessible
treatment for patients with mental illness.
Finally, we need to accept that addiction is an
evil that will continue to grow unchecked as
long as it is hidden in darkness. Only the light
of recognition, education, love and forgiveness
has a chance of breaking it.

Drug Take-Back Events Cut Improper Disposal

any people have unused, unwanted, or expired medications
in their homes, and they do not know what do with them.
Some people keep the prescriptions in their homes which can lead
to unsafe conditions for children and pets. Others flush their medications in the bathroom, however, this can impact the environment.
In 2017, the Luzerne County Medical Society, Wilkes University,
and the Luzerne County District Attorney and Sheriff's Department
worked together in order to develop a solution to this problem.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

This past year, these organizations and other community
partners helped to organize medication take back events in the
Wilkes-Barre area. Two outreach opportunities were held at the
Luzerne County Courthouse, one in the spring and one in the fall.
At the event, students, volunteers, and officers worked together
to collect medications in order to return them to the DEA for
proper disposal. The take back was organized as a drive thru where
patients took a quick survey, disposed of their medications, and
received a gift bag. In total, over 45 members of the community
properly disposed of their prescription and over-the-counter
medications, and 162 pounds of drugs were collected. In the
future, these organizations hope to continue and grow this event
in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding area to provide citizens with
an opportunity to safely and properly dispose of their medications.
Volunteers are currently working on coordinating another event
at the Luzerne County Courthouse in mid-April.

10 am to 2 pm

Luzerne County Courthouse
(Rear Drive-Thru)

200 N. River Street

Turn in your unused or expired
medication for safe disposal.
We will accept:

Prescriptions | Over the counter pills | Liquid medications
Vitamins | Pet medicines

ALEX PONCE is a pharmacy student at Wilkes University. He
is currently in his third year of professional school, and he is
passionate about the opioid epidemic.
For more information call Luzerne County Medical Society at 570.823.0918

N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

NEPA Vital Signs - Winter Spring 2018

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