Club discusses proper drug disposal
The Willing Workers of White Hall Extension Homemakers Club met Jan. 23 at the White Hall library.
President Karen Needler welcomed everyone. Jay Needler read the Thought from Richard Baker: “To get rich, never risk your health. For it is the truth that health is the wealth of wealth.”
Kathy Wilson read the Handy Hint: “Stand up every 30 minutes while working.”
Jim Wilson read the inspiration from Jeremiah 33:6. Secretary Jo Ann Carr called the roll with members answering the question: What is one thing you do to be healthy? Nine members were present.
Dee Kindrick presented the program on “Prescription Drug Disposal; Do’s, Don’ts and Staying Safe.”
Approximately 66% of U.S. adults take prescription drugs, with more than 6 billion prescriptions filled each year, she said.
She discussed proper and improper storage of medicines. She said about 35,000 children end up in emergency rooms each year because they got into medicines while an adult wasn’t looking, according to a news release.
Put medicines away every time. Make sure the safety cap is locked. Teach your children about medicine safety and tell your guests about medicine safety. If Drug Take Back Boxes or locations are available in your area, use them for proper disposal of old or unused medicines. If not, check the FDA’s flush list to see if your medicine is on the list that can be flushed.
If no Drug Take Back sites or programs are available in your area and there are no specific disposal instructions, you can follow these steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
1. Mix medicine (liquid or pills: do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds; 2. Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag; 3. Throw away the container in your trash at home; and 4. Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
Kay Cromwell, community service chairman, reported that of the food items collected at the December meeting, she delivered 55 food items to the White Hall Food Pantry and 49, including several backpacks, to Neighbor to Neighbor. The February food pantry items will be canned soup or chili.
Kathy Wilson, continuing education chairman, showed several craft items for members to look at for upcoming craft workshops.
At the end of the meeting, a game was played and Jim Wilson picked the most correct same days for the Valentine’s, Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday dates.
Kindrick and the Needlers were the hostesses for the meeting.
Handouts on proper drug disposal were furnished at the meeting. If you would like more information on this or a copy of the handout, contact Mary Ann Kizer, family and consumer sciences agent at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, (870) 534-1033.
If you are interested in learning more about Extension Homemakers, you can call any member or Kizer.