Free drug deactivation bags available
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ST. IGNATIUS — On Oct. 25 Tribal Health will distribute free Deterra® Drug Deactivation bags to Tribal Health recipients and any community members.
Deterra® Drug Deactivation systems allow recipients to dispose of prescription drugs and over-the-counter painkillers at home safely and effectively.
This comes as part of an effort to curb substance abuse involving unused medication acquired by family members and/or acquaintances.
The Deterra® technology is easy to use. Recipients simply put their medication in a bag containing a carbon that bonds to pharmaceutical compounds when water is added. Next, the person adds water and shakes the bag to neutralize the active ingredient in the drug. The biodegradable bag can then be placed into the trash.
Deterra® bags will be handed out from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 25 from the following Tribal Health sites: Elmo Health Center, Elmo Fitness Center, Hot Springs Health Center, Polson Health Center (throughout all clinics), Salish Kootenai College Student Health Center, Ronan Health Center, St. Ignatius Health Center (throughout all clinics), St. Ignatius Fitness Center, and Arlee Health Center.
In addition to providing Deterra® Drug Deactivation bags, both St. Ignatius and Polson Tribal Health Pharmacy sites offer permanent drop boxes for disposal of unused prescriptions.
These pharmacy drop-boxes are always available, and anyone can dispose of unused medication in the boxes. Restrictions include: illegal drugs, liquids greater than four ounces, sharps containers, needles, syringes, aerosol spray cans, trash, medical devices, chemicals, or other hazardous materials.
The Deterra® bags are being provided to Tribal Health through a State Targeted Response grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to the State of Montana.
