Whether accidental, or intentional abuse, opioids are a real health concern.

They lurk in virtually every medicine cabinet. As a result, an there has been an explosion of addiction which is taking a large toll on parts of the American population.

In Montana prescription drug overdoses were responsible for at least 369 deaths and more than 7,200 hospital inpatient admissions and emergency cases between 2011 and 2013, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Epidemiology and Scientific Support.

One effort to address this growing epidemic is National Take-Back Day which was held on April 30. On this day, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox urged Montanans to dispose of their unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs.

“National statistics show 53 percent of prescription painkiller abusers get their drugs from a friend or family member for free,” said Fox. “We need to resolve to never share our prescription drugs with others. One easy way to do that is to properly dispose of your prescription medication as soon as you are done taking it so it’s not available to anyone else. National Take-Back Day is a great opportunity for Montanans to safely, responsibly, and conveniently get rid of any prescription drugs that may be overstaying their welcome in the medicine cabinet.”

There was a take-back event held in Superior on Saturday, April 30, through the Mineral County Sheriffs department. They were able to dispose of twenty-five pounds of prescription drugs according to Mineral County Prevention Specialist, Stephanie Quick.

However, Mineral County residents are not limited to just one day to dispose of their prescription drugs. A Lock Box was installed at the Mineral County Courthouse in Superior earlier this year.

This yellow box is available to people where they can take their drugs to be disposed at any time and is installed down the hall of the Sheriff’s department. It is located in the wall to the left if you are facing the dispatch desk. Simply slip your prescription drugs into the slot for easy disposal.

Kaelyn Kelly, who is an Rx Drug Abuse Prevention Coordinator with the Attorney General’s office said that there are other ways to dispose of prescription drugs including buying special postage paid envelopes that are available at some pharmacies, like CVS in Missoula. They cost $4.87 each and people put unwanted drugs into the envelope and drop it off at the local post office.

Kelly also said that drugs can be placed in a sealed container, like a plastic margarine bowl. Then mix the pills with vinegar, coffee grounds, cat litter, or other substances that would make them ineffective. Then toss the container into the garbage. To make this solution even more effective, first put the pills into a plastic bag and then crush them with a hammer or a rolling pin before mixing them with coffee grounds, or other substances.

Kelly stated that “many people equate prescriptions painkillers the same as Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relievers and nothing could be further from the truth, these narcotics can be fatal.”

More information can be found online at ResolveMontana.org.