JBSA pharmacies invite members to 'Take Back' day Published April 19, 2012 By Alex Salinas Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- For the approximate 75,000 Joint Base San Antonio beneficiaries who receive medical treatment across the city military bases, the Drug Enforcement Agency is sponsoring a prescription medication "Take Back" day April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will occur nationwide and is in its fourth year. The day will be an opportunity for patrons to clear their medicine cabinet of old, outdated and no longer needed prescriptions, Staff Sgt. Rochelle Winston, 359th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy craftsman, said. "All tablets, capsules, inhalers, vials, needles and any other medications will be accepted," she said. Once the items are collected, they are taken to a DEA location and are incinerated, a measure the DEA is taking to prevent the hazards of incorrectly disposing of prescription drugs. However, while only one day out of the year can be "Take Back" day, there are practical measures to be taken for the other 364 days. Capt. Timothy Weigle, 359th MDSS pharmacist, highlighted that disarding medication the right way can save lives. "Properly disposing of old medications prevents children and pets from accidentally ingesting them as well as helping to reduce environmental impact," he said, primarily because throwing them away in the trash without safeguards offers little to no protection from them being dug out. To avert children and pets from discovering medications in the trash, mix them with undesirable substances such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. They can also be placed in a sealable bag or empty can so they won't leak from the garbage. Winston said all pharmacy patients are given a handout instructing them how to correctly do away with their medication and are reminded by the labels on prescriptions as well. "Patients are supposed to follow the prescription insert directions on the containers," she said. "But people can never be reminded too many times." Winston also spoke on the risk patients take when their sensitive information is thrown away with the label intact. "Patients should scratch out all identifying information on the containers," Winston said. "They can even use a dark marker to black out the information, but even then, it could show through the ink. Do what it takes to protect your identity." According to the DEA, 377,086 pounds of unwanted or expired medications were turned in during the last national "Take Back" day. The collection sites for April 28 are at the BX pharmacy lobby located next to the military clothing store on Randolph; the parking lot between the BX and the commissary near the satellite pharmacy at Lackland; and at two locations on Fort Sam Houston: the main outpatient pharmacy located in the San Antonio Military Medical Center Hall and the Fort Sam Community Pharmacy located at the southwest corner of Scott and Allen roads, near the main exchange. Visit www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for more information.