Category: Oregon

Correct Disposal of Medications

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Correct Disposal Of Medications

Correct Disposal Of Medications

D. S. Mitchell

I had a killer headache so I went looking for a couple Tylenol. I found it in the bathroom and was about to swallow two extra strength capsules with a glass of water, when for some reason I noticed the expiration date. Holy Moly, it had expired three years ago. That knowledge shook me up a bit. After that small shocker I decided to check the expiration dates on every bottle of medication in the house; from dog de-wormer to the Vitamin C gummies. The next bottle, a prescription for Flexeril, was outdated by 10 months.  I was two for two. Not good. Next,  was a bottle of cough syrup, expired the previous year. I was still batting 100%.

I guess all I’m saying is that watching expiration dates often gets over looked. Most expiration dates have more to do with effectiveness than dangerousness, such as if I’d taken that 3 year old Tylenol it probably wouldn’t have killed me or even made me sick, but it probably wouldn’t have helped with my headache  either.

If you haven’t checked the expirations on your meds recently take a few minutes and do it. Remember the longer it is past expiration the less effective it is. That’s not good news when you have a monster size headache or some other ailment.

If your medicine chest is full of outdated medications, or medications you no longer take or need and you are wondering how to correctly dispose of them I have some information for you.  The best option is to use community-based drug disposal programs. Go to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) website, dea.gov and use their search tool to find an authorized drug disposal collector in your area.

If you don’t find a program in your area call your local hospital or your local police department or county sheriff. Almost always one of these entities have disposal programs. As a last resort you may be forced to dispose of them yourself. Please do not flush down the toilet, or sink. These toxins are dangerous to animals, fish and water systems.

Many medications include specific disposal instructions, please follow any specific disposal instructions if they are available. The FDA advises that if there are no disposal instructions, do as follows: If the medication comes in tablet form, crush thoroughly. If medication is capsules, open capsules and release contents.  1). Mix medication with used coffee grounds, kitty litter or dirt/sand to disguise the medication making it less desirable to children, pets and drug seekers. 2). Place the mixture in a sealable bag, place the bag into a can or other container to prevent the medication from leaking out of the garbage bag. 3). Be sure to obliterate any personal information on your prescription bottles before you throw them away; to protect your identity and health information..

In my case, when it was all said and done, I had one of those gift sized (you know the little guys like from Tiffany’s in my case from “The Red Canary” shopping bags, full of outdated and unneeded medications. I guess I am a “closet” hoarder. Or, just inattentive.

In my case, it turned out that the local PD did indeed offer a safe disposal program. I took my bag of meds into the cop shop where an officer dumped them into a secured bin. The officer told me the drugs “would be incinerated,” and off I went. Easy Peasy.

I hope this little piece of life experience helps you think about expiration dates on medications and if you have any outdated meds how to correctly dispose of them. So remember, before you just toss that old outdated medication into the trash, or flush it down the toilet, be a good citizen, dispose of drugs responsibly. The fish and other wildlife critters will thank you. Our environment is under an unprecedented assault and anything, however small it may seem, such as the correct disposal of medications can be beneficial to our threatened environment.

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 Calamity Politics is an online political news magazine offering, comment, analysis and lots of progressive opinion. Join the New Resistance. Hit the streets-make your voice heard. Be ready for October 18, 2025, lets bring millions into the streets to tell Trumpie Dumpie and his oligarch buddies that we want “No Kings.” Join the New Resistance.

 

 

The Spectacular Oregon Coast

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The Spectacular Oregon Coast

Editor:  At a recent town hall with Oregon Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley I picked up a magazine entitled, “The Oregon Treasures Quest.” The magazine is printed and published by Jeff Merkley’s team. The magazine is available through his office and at his town halls. Jeff, a lifetime Oregonian drew from his life in Oregon to put together a magazine that  highlights one significant landmark from each Oregon county with great pictures and a short blurb on each site. After enjoying Jeff’s publication I thought I should spend a few minutes talking about Oregon’s iconic coastal landmarks. I have been fortunate enough to spend many years living and exploring Oregon’s Pacific coast. Below I’ve listed several highlights of Oregon’s Hwy 101.

D. S. Mitchell

A Bit of History

The Pacific Coast of the United States is magical. Massive  rock formations,  dramatic vistas, magnificent bridges, and miles of expansive beaches.  I was born in this “Pacific Wonderland” and every once in a while I like to tell my friends around the world about this amazing place I call home. I grew up in Portland, Oregon. Went to Shattuck grade school, Lincoln High School, and Portland State University. I remember long lazy summer vacations at my family’s beach shack at Rockaway Beach.  Our little surf shack was the hub of activity for many summers of happy memories. We would take short trips around the area, roast marshmallows, fish the coastal streams, dig clams on brisk mornings, build sand castles and access quiet picnic spots along the beautiful beaches of the central Oregon coast.

Until very recently I was a full time coastal resident.  I lived at a spectacular spot between Gearhart and Warrenton, called Surf Pines.  It’s a delightful place with wide views of the Pacific, small lakes, and wildlife galore. It was such an exciting place to live, a delight of both man and nature made wonders. Driving Sunset Beach up to the Peter Iredale watching the spectacular 4th of July fireworks. Ahh, what a life.

Since I lived just south of that gritty river town Astoria, once called the “evilest place on earth”  it is a good place to start.  I love Astoria and its spectacular setting, and conversely its seedy edginess.  A town of hills and stairs.  A river town where many men are still fisherman and loggers. Where upscale cannabis shops and day spas co-exist with topless bars and closed storefronts. Astoria is both charming and seamy. Astoria is slowly shifting from blue-collar working class to professional class.  A place where Victorian houses both grand and simple cling to a rocky hillside at the convergence of bay, river and ocean.  A town quietly searching for its future.

“The Bridge” is the Astoria-Megler bridge. Starting in California, and all up the coast you will see many beautiful historic bridges, but it isn’t until you reach Astoria, Oregon that you see the spectacular grand jewel of coastal river bridges.  At Astoria the Columbia River joins the ocean.  “The bridge” spans 4 miles across one of the nation’s greatest river systems, joining Oregon with her northern sister state, Washington. The Columbia bar was long known as the “grave yard of the Pacific” because so many ships sank off its coast as they attempted to cross the bar into the greatest river of the west.  A drive across this landmark structure literally takes your breath away.

The Astoria Column is a 125 foot column.  Half a million visitors tour the site annually. The column stands on a cleared hilltop that rises 600 feet above sea level.  The column is one of the most recognizable monuments on the Oregon coast. Dedicated in 1926 the column was modeled after Trajan’s column in Rome, Italy.  The Astoria column is decorated with a detailed spiral frieze of Astoria’s history. The column was treated to a much-needed restoration a couple of years ago, but that inner spiral staircase is still stomach turning, if you get up that damn thing, the views from the top are heart stopping; Young’s River and Bay, the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River, Cape Disappointment. Jaw dropping.

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What’s Going On In Grants Pass, Oregon?

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What’s Going On In Grants Pass, Oregon?

If you live within the city limits of Grants Pass, Oregon, ballots should be landing in your mailbox in the next few days. Remember to mark NO on the RECALL and return your ballot BEFORE 9/12/2023.

Be sure to vote No on recall. Vote by 9/12/2023

What’s Going On In Grants Pass, Oregon?

By D.S. Mitchell

 

Republican Headquarters

A group, who lists their address as the Republican Committee headquarters, is trying to *recall independent Grants Pass mayor, Sara Bristol. The first line of the recall petition, filed by Suzanne Barber, states, “City of Grants Pass mayor, Sara Bristol, does not represent the conservative principles of the majority of her constituents.”

Full Stop

Whoa. Full stop. Sara Bristol was elected by a majority of Grant’s Pass voters; voters who wanted an independent voice at City Hall not a rubber stamp to controversial or extremist policies. I don’t believe this group of haters should be allowed to recall a mayor who’s only failure is not being “conservative” enough.

Disgust

It’s evident that hate, vitriol, and dirty tricks are alive and well in our community. Is this what we really want? I say, no, and I believe I am not alone in my disgust for this full-frontal attack on independence. Vote NO to the recall.

Mostly, I Talk

Yoo-hoo. According to the Grants Pass city charter the mayor can only vote to break a tie. Sara, explains, “I mostly get to talk, issue vetoes, and sign paperwork.” Despite petitioners complaints of “too many vetoes” the facts dispute that assertion. After two and a half years in office, Sara has issued only two, let me repeat that, two vetoes.

Court Order

Also, let me make it clear, Sara Bristol is not responsible for the homeless situation in Grants Pass, Oregon, but the city council is. Aside from not being “conservative” enough, the petitioner(s) are trying to hang the problem of homelessness around the neck of the mayor. Admittedly, homeless encampments in Grants Pass parks are a hot button issue. However, citizens need to understand that the city is under a court order preventing removal of the homeless encampments.

Place The Blame

Removal of the homeless from Grants Pass public parks could take place if Grants Pass could offer “low barrier” shelter.  It’s time for the Grants Pass city council to step up and do their job. Grants Pass needs a “low barrier” shelter, and we needed it several years ago. Time to stop the excuses and start the process. Don’t blame the mayor for what the council has failed to deal with.

Vote No On Recall

I’m asking Grants Pass voters to ignore the partisan hate speech and misinformation campaign being waged against the mayor and vote NO to the recall. If you feel like getting involved, please join Sara and her supporters at several local events.

Support Sara Bristol Events

Friday, August 25, 2023: Anne Basker Auditorium at 6 pm

Saturday, August 26, 2023: Josephine County Courthouse @ 12 Noon

Tuesday, August 29, 2023: Fruitdale Grange at 6 pm

 

*Recalls are the process by which an elected official can be removed from office via a public vote.

Mushroom Information

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Mushroom Information

Information on Mushrooms Facts and Folly

Mushroom information was the topic of discussion between David Shadrick and Bill Cook when they met up at the Calamity Politics studio today. Mushrooms and more mushrooms was the consensus of our guys.  Between these two men we are talking 50 years of eating enjoyment. You can also watch the video casts on the Calamity Politics YouTube channel or the David Shadrick YouTube channel.

Psilocybin Mushroom Information

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Psilocybin Mushroom Information

Psilocybin Mushroom Information

Growing and using Psilocybin mushrooms

Psilocybin Mushrooms are just one of the “drugs” made legal in Oregon in 2020.  Bill Cook a friend of Calamity Politics and expert on the cultivation of Psilocybin mushrooms stopped by the Calamity studio on 5/2/2023 and talked to Dave about the positive effects of growing and using Psilocybin Mushrooms. Over the next few weeks Bill will be stopping by the studio to chat with Dave on a number of topics including the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana in the State of Oregon. We are looking forward to these conversations. Stay tuned as they say.