(The Center Square) – Fentanyl may be top of mind as the opioid epidemic continues to ravage Pennsylvania families, but the roots of the problem remain firmly embedded in pharmaceutical drugs.
Pain killers opened the door for many who struggle with opioid addictions, among them huge numbers of laborers for whom difficult physical work takes a toll on the body.
On Saturday, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency is hosting its National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. A handful of state agencies including the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs are supporting the effort alongside the Keystone Contractors Association.
The day provides an opportunity for people with unused prescription pills to dispose of them, eliminating both temptation and concern that the drugs may end up in the wrong hands. In April, the first of the biannual events collected 32,000 pounds at 230 sites across the state.
The commonwealth has one of the highest rates of opioid use disorder in the country per capita at over 2.5%.
“Getting rid of all the expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications in your cabinets, on your shelves, and around your home is one of the most effective ways to prevent substance misuse,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones.
On Tuesday, Davis-Jones highlighted the impact of the epidemic on two different groups by appearing at the construction site of Veterans Village in Harrisburg, an apartment building expected to provide permanent housing for 80 former service members.
According to the National Institute of Health, overdose mortality rates among veterans increased by 53% between 2010 and 2019. The population carries multiple risk factors including the high incidence of physical injuries and post-traumatic stress from deployments.
Meanwhile, those working in the construction industry have an increased risk for developing opioid use disorder according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reports that 15% of construction workers prescribed opioids become long-term users, making them 10 times more likely to develop the disorder.
“Protecting those who are literally building our communities is at the heart of the Shapiro Administration’s partnership with the KCA as we work together to strengthen substance use disorder prevention efforts within Pennsylvania’s construction industry,” said Davis-Jones.
The administration’s sentiment was echoed by leaders in the construction industry.
“The Keystone Contractors Association takes safety seriously – not just on the jobsite, but at home and in our communities,” said Jon O’Brien, KCA Executive Director. “Unused or expired medications can pose real risks to our families and coworkers. We’re urging everyone, especially our construction professionals, to take part in National Drug Take-Back Day by safely disposing of unused prescriptions.”
The group was also joined by Sen. John Kane, D-Chester.
“After spending more than two decades in the construction industry, I’ve seen firsthand the pain that substance use disorder can cause to workers, families, and entire communities,” said Kane. “Safely getting unused or expired prescription drugs out of our homes is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent substance misuse; and for some, it can be the first step on the path to recovery.”
The Pennsylvania State Police also offers drug take-back at 65 different stations, which have collected more than 3,200 pounds of medication so far this year. While PSP does not collect personal information, neutral drop-off locations like pharmacies are also available. In total, DDAP oversees 900 sites across the state year-round.
The DEA event is also an opportunity to pick up naloxone, an overdose reversal drug available to anyone without a prescription.
“We want to spread the message that Drug Take-Back Days are also a reminder to make sure you have naloxone because an overdose can happen anytime, anywhere,” said Davis-Jones. “Think of it just like Daylight Saving Time – turn your clock back, change your smoke alarm batteries; drop off your unused prescriptions, pick up naloxone.”
