New data on drug use

Teenagers abuse prescription medication more than anything else besides marijuana. Tomorrow, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is set to release new data on youth drug use. Most of those teens start abusing medication found in their home, or in the home of a friend.

Amy Tiemeier, Pharm.D., BCPS, is on the front lines to remove dangerous drugs from the home. She is a founding member of the Missouri P2D2 (Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal) group and serves as vice president. The program places secure collection boxes in police precincts where medicine can be safely disposed anonymously and for free.

"As a pharmacist, I have seen first-hand patients who have bottles and bottles of medication lying around at home," Tiemeier says. "This can be incredibly dangerous not only for yourself, but for other family members and friends as well."

Tiemeier is also director of professional affairs and assistant professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

Tips:
•Keep potentially addictive medication in a secure spot.
•Store all other medication on a high shelf, out of reach of small children.
•Check your city and county police departments for a P2D2 collection box.
•Take advantage of national disposal initiatives (next one is April 27, 2013).

Tiemeier is available for phone or e-mail interviews Wednesday morning, Dec. 19.