Understand prescription drug policy Published July 26, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Prescription drug abuse is a growing nation-wide issue and the Air Force and other military services have expanded their drug testing to reflect that. On May 1, 2012, the Air Force expanded its standard drug testing to include commonly abused prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse of any type is in violation of Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. "Wrongfully using, possessing or distributing prescription drugs, if they are controlled substances, which they almost always are, is the same as using, possessing or distributing what people more commonly think of when they think of drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana," said Capt. Lindsey Callahan, 48th Fighter Wing assistant judge advocate. "Anyone who uses prescription drugs not in accordance with their prescription, possesses prescription drugs that have not been prescribed to them or distributes prescription drugs could face anything from an Article 15 and administrative discharge to a general court-martial with up to 15 years of confinement." In addition to the legal consequences that arise from misusing prescription drugs, there are also health risks. It is dangerous to take any prescription medication without being monitored by a health care professional. Doing so can lead to potentially fatal consequences, not only for abusers, but for children or animals that may get a hold of it. "I would recommend keeping medications up high in a locked cabinet out of reach of children," said Master Sgt. Eric Gren, 48th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy service NCOIC. "But what's most important is that the bottles themselves are child-proof, so leaving them in that bottle prevents young children from getting into them." The pharmacy distributes more than 2,400 prescribed medications weekly, and with that large amount of medication being provided to Airmen and families of the Lakenheath, it is necessary to dispose of expired or unused pills in the correct way. "It's important to dispose of medications properly," said Gren. "If we flush them down the toilet, it can get into our water supply and if we just throw them away, it ends up in a landfill and that ends up in the soil." The 48th MDSS Pharmacy provides several avenues to dispose of the potentially harmful medication for all those it is prescribed for. "A patient can always bring their medication up to our window. We'll be more than happy to take it back from them," said Gren. "The other option is twice a year the Federal Drug Administration sponsors National Drug Take Back Day. Our next one is going to be on Sept. 29, 2012 and we'll have booths set up at the BX on Lakenheath and at the BXtra on RAF Mildenhall." For more information on disposing of medication, contact the 48th Medical Group pharmacy at 226-8353 or 01638 528 353.