Misuse and Abuse of Psychoactive Medications
According to a report by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the use of prescription psychotherapeutics for nonmedical use surpassed illicit drug use for people 12 years of age and older. Medications like diazepam and lorazepam are in the benzodiazepine class of drugs which are used to induce sleep, treat anxiety disorders or reduce agitation. These drugs are popular due to their potency and quick onset of action, which also makes these drugs at a high risk for dependence and abuse. In the case of drugs like lorazepam, they can have serious, long-term effects on the mind and body which could be irreversible, which is why it is recommended for short-term use only.
Suboxone is used widely to treat opioid addiction and contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine use has increased in recent years, is stronger than morphine in many effects and is often taken in conjunction with other psychoactive drugs. The misuse and diversion of Suboxone is well-documented for producing a mood altering high and self-medication without a prescription.
Safe Disposal of Psychoactive Medications with Activated Carbon
Because of the high potential of abuse and misuse of psychoactive medications, proper disposal of these drugs is critically important. Disposing of these medications so that they are not available for drug diversion and reduce the risk of contaminating the environment is an important responsibility of the prescription holder and healthcare clinics where these drugs are commonly prescribed. Activated carbon offers a drug disposal method which shows deactivation efficiency when tested with three model psychoactive drugs. This study validates the effectiveness of activated carbon to deactivate the psychoactive medications of buprenorphine, lorazepam, and diazepam. After eight hours, 97% of buprenorphine, 70% of lorazepam, and 47% of diazepam were adsorbed by the activated carbon. After 28 days, more than 99% of all drugs were deactivated.
Activated carbon is a method of chemical destruction which is one of the approved methods of drug disposal according to standards set by the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA. When consumers and healthcare clinics properly dispose of medications, they are helping to reduce instances of drug diversion and environmental contamination. The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, recommends medication take back programs which have helped to safely collect more than 4 million pounds of prescription medications between 2010 and 2014. A lack of accessibility and awareness about these medication take back programs, however, leave many consumers resorting to improper disposal in the trash or down the drain.
Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is an effective drug disposal method which is available for consumers and healthcare clinics.
Rx Destroyer™ Provides Activated Carbon Drug Disposal
C2R Global manufactures Rx Destroyer™, an activated carbon drug disposal system available in many different sizes to meet the needs of consumers in various facilities. Rx Destroyer™ begins to break down medication on contact, discouraging drug diversion and helping to reduce contamination to the environment. Activated carbon-based drug disposal systems have been proven effective with successful deactivation of psychoactive medications and many other types of prescription drugs.
Rx Destroyer™ provides safe, effective, and efficient drug disposal with activated carbon that begins neutralizing medications on contact. You can find Rx Destroyer™ in many types of facilities across North America. Contact us to learn more about activated carbon drug disposal for psychoactive drugs and other prescription medications.
