THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013
HEALTH
PAGE 3A
Local law enforcement to collect unwanted drugs
CODY KUIPER
ckuiper@kansan.com
EMILY WITTLER/KANSAN
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence Police Department are participating in the nationwide prescription drug "Take-Back Day" this Saturday.
The national event, which is coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, will give people the opportunity to get rid of their expired.
Students can turn in unwanted, unused or expired medications as part of the nationwide 'Take-Back Day' on Oct. 26. Collection sites are available at the Douglas County Courthouse and Lawrence Police Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
unused or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs with no questions asked.
This is the seventh national take-back day, and Lawrence Police Department Sergeant Trent McKinley says the biannual
not better results."
The positive feedback to takeback days in Douglas County led to the creation of an ongoing disposal program implemented in July. The program allows residents to drop medications at the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center any business day with full anonymity.
"In the spring we had over 300 people come turn in 875 pounds, so it's clearly been a tremendously successful program."
event continues to produce greater results each year.
Take-Back Day's national popularity has been growing as well. In April 2013, more than 740,000
TRENT MCKINLEY
Lawrence Police Department sergeant
"It's really been an overwhelming success," McKinley said. "In the spring we had over 300 people come turn in 875 pounds, so it's clearly been a tremendously successful program. You never know what to expect, but certainly this year we're hoping to get similar if
pounds of prescription medications were collected by the DEA - a 50 percent increase from their previous event.
Prescription drug use has become one of the largest and fastest-growing
drug problems in the country, according to a 2012 study from The National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study also found that twice as many Americans regularly abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and inhalants combined.
The study also found that more than half of those abusing prescription drugs get them from friends or relatives, something Lieutenant Steve Lewis of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said take-back days can help eliminate.
"It's hard to say if it's had a great affect on reducing illegal use of medications, but it for sure eliminates the possibility of some people obtaining them," Lewis said. "Whether it be teens around the house, people visiting or an open house, it eliminates people who shouldn't be using them from just grabbing them."
The state of Kansas has seen relative success in curbing prescription drug abuse, but it is still a fast-growing problem. Kansas has the eighth lowest drug overdose mortality rate in the country, but the number of those dying from overdose has doubled since 1999, according to a report from Trust for America's Health.
Lewis added that while they see the events as successful, there clearly is work still to be done.
"Even if we dispose of hundreds of pounds of these kinds of drugs,
we would still only be scratching the surface of the problem<sup>1</sup>.
there will be two collection sites available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday at the short-term parking lot of the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., and the Lawrence Police Department at 4820 Bob Billings Parkway. Illegal drugs, inhalers, injectables and needles will not be accepted, and participants are advised to remove any identifying information from prescription labels.
- Edited by Jessica Mitchell
KU$\textcircled{1}$nfo
Spooner Hall turns 119 years old next week. Located across the street from the Kansas Union, it is KU's oldest continually used academic building. Spooner Hall opened in
1894 as KU's first library.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
CAMPUS
- A 32-year-old female was arrested yesterday on the 100 block of 2200 Road on suspicion of driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled license. A $100 bond was paid.
- A 25-year-old female was arrested Tuesday on the 900 block of Schwarz Road on suspension of aggravated battery. No bond was posted.
- A 28-year-old male was arrested Tuesday on the 800 block of Schwarz Road on suspicion of criminal threat and domestic battery. No bond was posted.
Emily Donovan
Mandela's great-grandson to accept Dole Leadership Prize
KATIE MCBRIDE kmcbride@kansan.com
Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Those words are central to the inspiration the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics hopes to achieve through the 10th annual Dole Leadership Prize.
This year's prize is to be awarded to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Mandela's great-grandson, Luvuyo Mandela.
will accept the award and speak about how Mandela changed the world.
line $25,000 prize is awarded annually to someone who showed leadership and made a significant difference through public service. "My great-grandfather has shown the world what you can achieve with strength of character, sincere dedication, openness to collaboration and determination." Luvuyo said. "He was able to change South Africa and the world for the better because he was steadfast in his belief of
equality for all South Africans."
"It matters not whether you come from a small rural village or a large city, you can change your world for the better."
LUVUYO MANDELA
Dole Leadership Prize recipient
Bill Lacy, director of the Dole
Institute, said it is an important prize every year that rewards people who are doing positive things for the world, and is meant to inspire others.
"The one thing we stress with everything we do here is that you can make a difference," Lacy said. "We want students to feel empowered to go out and try to do what they think needs to be done."
Luvyo said his great-grandfather can show students how anybody is able to make an impact and make their goals a reality, no matter where they come from.
He added that, in his own life, Mandela's story taught him "the infinite energy and drive gained from following your passion."
"It matters not whether you come from a small rural village or a large city, you can change your world for the better," Luvuyo said. "Anyone can make a difference."
The prize will be awarded on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.at the Dole Institute.
- Edited by Duncan McHenry