Community properly disposes prescription drugs during second Tribal RX Drop-Off
4/30/2015 1:00:00 PM - Tribal Observer

Natalie Shattuck, Editor 

Second time’s a charm for the Tribal Community RX Drug Drop-off, hosted between Cardinal Pharmacy and Sagamok Shell on Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            The spring cleaning drug drop-off event was a community-wide collaboration to properly dispose of expired or unused prescription drugs. Also included were any pet medications, as well as syringes; a sharps container was on site.

            The first Tribal drug drop-off was a successful run. This time, Youth LEAD Diversion; Youth Support Coach Kevin Ricketts, Diversion Manager Guadalupe Gonzalez and Youth Alternatives Worker Alice Jo Ricketts coordinated the event, and received support from several Tribal departments; Behavioral Health, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, Cardinal Pharmacy, Migizi Economic Development Co. and Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center and numerous outside businesses.

            “The first drug drop-off in November was a trial, it was the first time the Tribe has ever hosted that type of event,” said Kevin “Coach” Ricketts. “It was in cold weather, and we didn’t know what to expect. We successfully collected 26 pounds in only four hours and many people asked for the event to happen again. Youth LEAD Diversion decided spring break was the perfect time to host another.”

            The second event became larger than the trial run. Tribal Police Sergeant Scott Bailey weighed the overall quantity of drugs dropped off.

“A total of 17.95 pounds of pills were dropped off, with an additional seven pounds of liquid-based prescription drugs, and 15 pounds of epi pen and needles; totaling about 40 pounds all together,” Bailey said.

Along with Tribal Police, the Mount Pleasant Police Department and Michigan State Police were present.

            “I think the event went great,” said Mount Pleasant Police Public Information Officer Jeff Browne. “I don’t think we can measure the success of the event in terms of pounds of items taken in.  I think we need to look at the educational/awareness part as well. Teaching people the dangers of prescription medications, and how harmful it can be to the environment if disposed in an improper way is important, too.”

            Tribal Senior Judge Patrick Shannon said he sees a lot of court cases dealing with a combination of heroin and prescription drug abuse.

            “Drug usage is so much broader today than it was 30 years ago,” Shannon said. “At that time, we really just had the influence of crack cocaine coming in, marijuana, LSD… the access to opiates, either prescription or otherwise, really opened up some doors.”