What’s in your medicine cabinet? Who has access to it? How do you get rid of outdated or unused medication? Do you flush medicine down the toilet and pollute the water supply? Do you know folks who are misusing medicines by doctor hopping? Do you know folks who make false medical complaints to their doctors to misuse or to sell

pain relievers? Do you know how medicines are being brought into our community for street sale? Do you know how many youth are misusing prescription and over-the counter drugs?

      A Prescription Drug and Over-the -Counter Drug Task Force has been asking these questions at monthly meetings since their inception in March, 2009. The membership of the Task Force includes representatives from Cortland Area Community that Cares Coalition, Health Care providers, County Health Department, Mental Health Care counselors, City and County Youth Bureaus, Cornell Cooperative Extension, J.M. Murray Center, School Districts, SUNY Cortland, City and County Law Enforcement, AmeriCorps Volunteer, and Parents.

     As a result of the brainstorming by the Task Force membership, experts from other communities and the State Narcotics Bureau have been invited to share their experiences in dealing with these issues. The Task Force has identified three major areas of concern for Cortland. These areas are community education about abuse, accessibility and storage; the tracking of prescriptions and prescription drugs; and the collection of outdated or unused medications. Three subcommittees are now being formed to focus on these areas of concern. 

      The Meds Safety subcommittee of the Task Force will educate the community making them aware of current trends in prescription drug abuse among teens, the elderly and adult populations.  The team, made up of prevention educators, health care providers, local school district administrator and concerned community members, will disseminate information on accessibility and proper storage techniques of prescription and over-the counter medications. If you are interested in joining the Meds Safety subcommittee, contact co-chairs Kimberly McRae Freidman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 756-8970 or Jill Pace at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 748-4110 ext. 1330.

    The Meds Tracking subcommittee will focus on developing a countywide system to track and monitor prescriptions and prescription drugs to eliminate abuse.  This team,

will involve healthcare providers, pharmacists, dentists, hospitals, clinics, law enforcement and community members.  If you are interested in joining this subcommittee, contact the chair, Lori Mulligan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 753-0234 ext. 116.

     The Meds Stop and Drop subcommittee will focus on developing a countywide proper disposal plan and holding a Medication Collection Event on May 1st, 2010.  Information regarding the Medication Collection Event will be publicized in local grocery stores, pharmacies, newspapers and on the Cortland Area Community that Care website.  If you are interested in joining this subcommittee contact chair, Jean Shields at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 753-3797.

        Prescription and Over-the Counter drug abuse does exist in Cortland County.  A survey was conducted in all of the County schools in October, 2008. The 30 day prevalence results showed that Cortland youth are using prescription pain killers (not prescribed), prescription tranquillizers, prescription sedatives, over-the counter cold medicine and over-the counter caffeine/diet pills above the State average usage. Almost 300 Cortland County youth are involved in these activities. 

     The Task Force is reaching out to the community and asking you to get involved in the subcommittees to help eliminate the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  Let’s stop this problem before it becomes an overwhelming problem in the community. Join in developing and implementing the action plans of the Meds Safety, Meds Tracking and Med Stop and Drop subcommittees.  This is a countywide issue and needs a countywide approach.  Be a good neighbor; get involved!  It’s good for the Cortland community.

Written by Kathleen Tavarone

Drug-Free Community Support Grant, Evaluator

12/4/09