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pills", "itch pills", "shock", "nerves", "Dad's tablets” some cases large
quantities of tablets were returned, but this could have been due to the death
of the patient. Drugs had often been removed from their original containers to
something less suitable, such as an envelope.
Assessment
38% of returned medicines were Central Nervous System drugs. 19% were
over-the-counter remedies. Only 3% remained unidentified.
Final Results
The public returned ½ ton of medicines (gross weight). Approximately ¼
million tablets and capsules were handed in weighing 247 lbs. and also 12½
gallons of liquid preparations. It is obviously necessary to encourage the
public to destroy their unwanted medicines.
Conclusion
The weight of drugs brought in for disposal increased each week and illustrated
the time required by the public firstly to become aware of the campaign
and then to take action. If the campaign were to be repeated it might well be
extended for another week". For detailed figures of the campaign see appendix
pages 110-112.
(d) Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Publicity campaigns built round posters and leaflets on this topic were
unsatisfactory and difficult to mount especially in large residential areas.The
protection afforded by the Indecent Advertisements (Amendment) Act, 1970 as
yet makes little difference to the willingness of local people to allow this sort
of material to be displayed in public.
Attractive circular, adhesive, non-defaceable notices, some in blue and
some in pink, giving a simple reassuring message about free, confidential advice
and treatment were designed in the Health Education Section. They were
offered for display to the local Chamber of Commerce, Shops, Offices, Factories,
Pharmacists, Railway Stations, Public Health and Cleansing Departments. The
take-up of notices and other publicity material was patchy and reinforced the
need for the topic to be an integral part of general health education of the public
and especially of school children, when opportunities are contrived for discussion
and/or counselling. Some 80% of High Schools in the Croydon area now include
Health Education courses in their curriculum. These deal firstly with the
normal sequence of growth, development and behaviour and continue with some
of the health hazards of today including the sexually transmitted diseases.
A pamphlet "The Health Services and You" is issued annually by the
Health Department to all school leavers and includes information about sexually
transmitted diseases and where to go for help.