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Prescription Drug Take Back Day Necessary After Year of Record Overdose Deaths
from Shawnee Outlook
GATEWAY TO PREVENTION
Prescription Drug Take Back Day Necessary After Year of Record Overdose Deaths
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In 2019, nearly 50,000 people in the United States died from opioid-involved overdoses. The misuse of and addiction to opioids – including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl – is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment and criminal justice involvement. Nationwide efforts to reduce the amount of overdoses by opioids over the past five years had seen very positive efforts; however, overdose deaths have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The CDC reported the following data from May 2019 through May 2020: • A health alert was issued in December indicating a significant increase in overdose deaths from May 2019 through May 2020, including concerning trends during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. • 81,230 people in the United States died of a drug overdose in just one year (May 2019-May 2020). • This is the largest number of drug overdoses on record in the United States within a one year period and an 18 percent increase in deaths from the previous year. • The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has played a very important part of battling the opioid crisis. In 2010, they created an initiative called the “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” that takes place nationwide. This event occurs the last Saturday in April and the last Saturday in October each year. Here are some amazing statistics reported from the last take back event in October 2020: • DEA collected a record amount at its last Take Back Day, making it the largest collection since the program began in 2010. • With 4,153 law enforcement participants at 4,587 collection sites, the event brought in a total weight of 985,392 pounds (492.7 tons). • This brings the total weight to 13,684,848 pounds – more than 6,842 tons – of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program.
April 2021 marks the 20th Take Back Day event in the history of the ten-year initiative. Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, along with many other community and law enforcement partners, will be a part of this initiative, hosting several sites throughout Pottawatomie County. Here are some important things you need to know: • Information for DEA’s spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at www. deatakeback.com. • The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. • The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. • Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement. • Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. More information is available at www.deatakeback.com. • Every day can be Take Back Day. In addition to DEA’s official National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1. • DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they
have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community. • Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. • Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction rates and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to controlled prescription medications. • DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations, as long as the lithium batteries are removed. DEA is doing all it can to help dispose safely of vaping devices and liquids to get these products off our streets and out of the hands of children. • DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, sealed liquids and other solid forms. Intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted. • This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Do your part by properly disposing of any expired or unused medications. Visit www.dea.gov or www. gatewaytoprevention.org for questions about prescription medications.
David Holland is the PFS Coordinator for Gateway to Prevention. He is also the pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Shawnee. He has been married to his wife, Connie, for 29 years. He has three children – Trevor, Maddie and Traye – and a son-in-law, Corey, who is married to Maddie. He has two grandkids – Jaxon, 19 months, and Taya, 2 months. He loves the Lord and his family. He loves being back where he grew up and helping make a positive change in the community.
Vintage • Antique • Wood Crafted • Metal Art Glass Art • Artisan Foods • Boutiques • Repurposed Junk • Beautifully hand crafted, unique items
APRIL 23-24, 2021 9 AM to 4 PM
16505 COKER ROAD, BETHEL ACRES Food vendors on site.
$3 admission (10 and under free)
Amid the bad news and bickering out there, sometimes it’s nice to read a little encouragement. The Bright Spot is a space to share some inspiration or reassurance with the community through poetry or prose. If you have an idea or something to brighten someone’s day, submit it to editor@shawneeoutlook.com.
About Being Happy
By Kay Vance
A few abbreviated song lyrics credited to Roger Miller: "Ya can't roller skate in a Buffalo herd (repeat X 2)
But you can be happy if you've a mind to.
Well, ya can't go a'swimmin' in a baseball pool...
Ya can't go fishin’ in a watermelon patch,
But you can be happy if you've a mind to.
All ya gotta do is put your mind to it –
Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it.”
Now I'm thinking, this is fun...
Ya can't grow a garden and not get in dirt.
Ya can't clean your thoughts by washing your hands.
Ya can't pig-out and still lose fat.
But you can be happy if you've a mind to.
Ya can't wash dishes in a puddle of mud.
Ya can't go to church by watching TV
Ya can't cling to idols and still be free.
But you can be happy if you've a mind to.
Ya can't shake hands with an elbow bump.
Ya can't speak freely with a mask on your face.
Ya can't rule the world, 'cause that's God's place!
But you can be happy if you've a mind to.
Now you might sing a few of your own. All you gotta do is put your mind to it. So knuckle down, buckle down, do it, just do it. Let's start being happy! Jesus put it like this: "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
Set Worthy Goals
By Kay Vance
You know we all like to. Setting goals is part of HOPE – hoping and wishing. Never, never give up on Hope; no, not for a minute. No matter the number of failures. Life itself is a precious gift from God. Even if our goal is never caught, if we try, we build endurance.
Beware of discouraging words Remember, Satan is the accuser. Don't let negative words find a corner to hide. They will only torment your mind.
We must choose to live on the Sunny Side. Choose the good; reject the wrong. You won't regret it. Go forward. If you do glance back now and then, only see the blessings. As time goes by, even tribulations are revealed as blessings. May all our goals be worthy.
The Third Day
By Sheila Hughes
He was hunted down and captured for a crime, He was guilty only for his love divine, Sentenced then to hang upon a cross and die, And there the sweet Messiah gave his life
But on the third day Christ arose, On the third day the stone had been rolled, And the price was paid on calvary's cross, With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost.
The savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, He proved he was God own on the third day, And as he hung by rusty nails for me and you, He cried forgive them for they know not what they do.
With his dying breath he said it is through, That's because of what the mighty savior knew, Yes, on the third day Christ arose, Yes, on the third day the stone had been rolled.
He knew our price was paid on Calvary's cross With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost The Savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, He proved he was God's own on the third day.
He's waiting for you to confess your sin, Ask forgiveness and into your heart ask him in, In Jesus you will find a faithful friend, No greater love you know than love from him.
Because on the third day Christ arose, And on the third day the stone had been rolled, The price was paid on Calvary's cross, With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost, The Savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, He proved he was God's own on the third day.
Ode to Ashley
By Kay Vance
When four young boys are all grown up, with homes and families of their own (God willing), they will reminisce with children of their own, about their mother, well-remembered: "She was our angel, our star, our caretaker, our teacher. She was precious as no other can be."
They will not remember her selfless sacrifice, tribulations, her exhausting work load, her pioneer spirit. They will remember the many good memories made with the family, and do their best to pass along that heritage to their descendants.
So have a Happy Special Day, Dear, and know that your rewards are too great to be measured!
Victory Has My Name
By Sheila Hughes
The joy of the Lord gives me strength, To fight and the power, yes, to stand, Resting in Jesus's finished work, I am who he says I am.
Victory already has my name, Scripture, my heavy artillery, I say to the mountain move, The mind of Christ is me.
I find everything inside God’s word, Find your tools and answers there, Our common ground is a need for God, How sweet is the power within prayer.
The joy of the Lord gives me strength, To fight and the power, yes, to stand, Resting in Jesus's finished work, I am who he says I am.
Don’t let weed distract you from your team, your club, class, or anything else...
If you ’re caught using marijuana, it can seriously impact you at school. You can be kicked off sports teams and banned from extracurricular activities...you can be suspended or expelled. School is already stressful enough on its own, so to avoid losing things you love, don’t use marijuana in the first place.
Breathe easier and cleaner...
Like smoking cigarettes, smoking weed and secondhand smoke from weed can irritate your lungs and make it harder to breathe. Heavy marijuana smokers can have a cough or wheeze even when they aren’t using. Vape products can contain nicotine, marijuana (THC or CBD), or other substances like flavoring agents or additional chemicals. While vaping products have grown in popularity, we have seen outbreaks of lung illnesses linked to vaping.
Don’t lose the trust of family and friends...
If you get caught with weed, you can lose your parents’ trust and the freedoms you worked hard to earn. Your friends could also feel disappointed or uncomfortable if they find out you ’re using marijuana.
For more information about youth substance abuse prevention and/or treatment, please call 405-275-3391 or email aflood@gatewaytoprevention.org
CALENDAR
April/May Events
All events subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health standards. Please contact each organizer for complete and up-to-date information
April 16: Safe Events for Families has planned the 2021 Redbud Festival: A Night on the Bricks starting at 6 p.m. on Main Street near the intersection with Philadelphia in front of the Shawnee Public Library. The free community meal event will be served from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Blackwater Smoke entertaining attendees from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Information: facebook.com/SEFFShawnee
April 16: The Arts@317 will host its first Block pARTy event of 2021 with a book signing by Kathy Spurgeon from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature on “Fremont’s Promise,” which is the third in her series. The event will occur at 317 E. Main St.
April 20: The OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra is a collaborative ensemble of Oklahoma Baptist University students, faculty and alumni as well as musicians from Shawnee and the surrounding areas under the leadership of Teresa Purcell-Giles, OBU’s assistant professor of music and director of bands. They will be performing a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Information: okbu.edu/ fine-arts/events.html
April 23: Five-time Grammy nominated Christian music artist Matthew West will bring a special acoustic set of his Truth Be Told tour to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 7:30 p.m. In addition to his own No. 1 hit, “The God Who Stays,” West has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name with collaborations with artists like Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Casting Crown, Jeremy Camp and more. Information: shawneeexpo.org.
April 23-24: Market on the Meadows is an outdoor shopping event with a large variety of vendors offering a wide range of handcrafted wares and unique items. The event happens each day 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16505 Coker Road. There is $3 admission with ages 10 and under free.
April 24: A Dutch oven workshop will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. west of Prague. The workshop will include hands-on instruction. Learn differences in Dutch ovens and method in controlling temperature with both charcoal and with wood. Attendees will cook an array of recipes, which all will share in a meal. Booklets of recipes and instructions covered will be given as well as workshop prizes. Equipment is furnished. Cost is $50 per person. Limit 15 participants. Workshop is conducted outside in a wooded area. Safe practices will be in place. Registration deadline is April 19. Text or call (405) 651-2324 for information.
April 24-30: Oklahoma Baptist University’s College of Fine Arts will present a week of spring concerts featuring a wide variety of vocal and instrumental selections to please any ear. The Bisonette Glee Club will perform its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 24. The Bison Glee Club will perform at 7:30 p.m. on April 26. The University Chorale Concert will sound off at 7:30 p.m. on April 27. The Symphonic Winds Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on April 29. The OBU Bison Jazz Orchestra will wrap up the musical week with a concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 30. The events are free and require reservations. For reservation and location information: okbu.edu/ fine-arts/events.html.
April 30-May 2: Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre will present “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” at 7:30 p.m. on April 30-May 1 and 2:30 p.m. on May 1-2. The play adapted by Dwayne Hartford from the book by Kate DiCamillo follows Edward Tulane, a toy rabbit made of china, who gets unwillingly tossed into a journey that teaches him what it is to love, the sorrow of losing that love and how to find the courage to love again. This music-filled play for children and youth is very adult-friendly and is best suited for children ages 6 and above.
May 1: The Sober Sports Volleyball Tournament will serve up its second annual event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bridge facility on the First Baptist Church campus at 120 Reid St. in Seminole. The event is presented by Gateway to Prevention and Recovery supporting Sober Sports, which is a group led by people in recovery for people in recovery who love getting together to have fun and compete in a safe and healthy environment. Information: (405) 273-1170.
May 1: Country singer-songwriter Chris Janson will perform at FireLake Arena with special guest Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights. Doors open at 6 p.m. at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. Information: firelakearena.com
May 1: KISS tribute band Dressed to Kill will bring Detroit Rock City to the Ritz of Shawnee theater at 7 p.m. at 10 W Main St. Information: facebook.com/theritzofshawnee.
May 2: The Oklahoma Baptist University Music Preparatory Department Choirs will present a spring concert at 3 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: fine.arts@okbu.edu.
