In a World Dumping Pills in Our Lap: A Guide for Native Families Who Want to Help Their Elders

A few years back, a close family member of mine, someone who meant everything to me,  started getting sick. Before, she was bubbly, sociable, and had a that could light up a room. But  now, she was shaky, nervous, and withdrawn; she didn’t want to be around people anymore. It  didn’t feel like aging; something was wrong inside her body, mind, and soul. 

When we finally sat down and got everything on paper, we discovered the truth: her health was  completely out of balance, including a laundry list of medications stretching over two pages. 

What changed her life was a pharmacist, a long-time partner and friend to Rx Destroyer, Dr.  Frank Breve. He went through that entire list, made recommendations of reduction and  doctor/patient consultation questions, and within a year, she started coming back to herself. 

This isn’t just about one person. Across Indian Country, our elders are overmedicated and  overwhelmed. Polypharmacy, when someone takes five or more medications daily, is no longer  rare; it’s common. In some nursing facilities, 30 to 40% of residents meet that definition, tripling  in recent decades. 

And while multiple conditions can require different treatments, the danger lies in drug  interactions, duplications, poor oversight, inappropriate dosing, and a lack of clear  communication—often because patients don’t feel empowered to ask their doctor or pharmacist  simple but critical questions: Why am I taking this? When can I stop? Are there natural  alternatives? All across the nation, no one is looking at the full picture. 

You're not alone. If this sounds familiar, here’s how you can start helping your loved one today. 

Step 1: Trust Your Gut—If It Feels Off, It Might Be 

If your loved one is: 

• Taking a dozen or more pills a day 
• Becoming more anxious, withdrawn, or physically unstable 
• Hoarding medications – needing to save “just in case” 
• Confused about which meds are for what

…trust that instinct. Many elders are overprescribed, especially in Native communities where  Indian Health Services are stretched thin and doctors, staffing, and messaging of patient history  can become inconsistent and problematic. 

Step 2: Request a Drug Usage Review (aka a Medication Audit) 

You don’t have to guess what’s safe and what’s not. You need a drug usage review. Ask a trusted pharmacist and/or physician to look at every single medication your elder is  taking. Don’t leave anything out, include prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins,  supplements, creams, tobacco use/smoking, alcohol use and exercise history. 

Here’s what they’ll check for: 

• Conflicts or dangerous drug interactions 
• Medications that are no longer needed 
• Duplicate drugs from different doctors 
• Dosages inappropriate for elder patients 
• Learn what each drug does by using trusted resources like WebMD or Beers Criteria 

Step 3: Get Everything in One Place and Keep It Safe 

Create a written, printed, or digital list of all medications your elder takes. Google Docs is a  secure place to create, store and share medication information with family members. Make sure these lists are kept up to date and that medications are always stored securely in the home. 

This is especially important in multi-generational homes. Approximately 4 in 10 Native  American adolescents (aged 12–17) have used illicit drugs in their lifetime. Unsecured  medications can too easily become a danger to curious or struggling family members. 

Step 4: Talk to Your Elder—With Compassion, Not Blame 

Many of our elders come from a generation where you don’t question the doctor. And culturally,  a lot of us were raised in rural communities where stockpiling just about anything was a way of  life. If you couldn’t get to town, you kept what you had. Those behaviors made sense for fence  

posts, nut & bolts, and engine parts. But for painkillers and behavioral and mental health  prescriptions, the stockpiling behavior has become a primary target for teenager curiosity,  addicted family members, and bad actors in your community. 

Approach gently. Let them know this isn’t about control. It’s about love, protecting, and teaching  new ways to your family. Share what you’ve learned. Let them be part of the process.

Step 5: Safely Dispose of What’s No Longer Needed 

If medications get stopped or changed, don’t keep the leftovers. 

• Do not flush them—they pollute the water and sicken our wildlife. 
• Don’t throw them in the trash—they can be stolen, abused, or misused. 
• Ask your tribe leadership for a drug neutralizing disposal product like Rx Destroyer. 

Simply add pills to the container and keep it in a secure spot (e.g. a medicine cabinet). When it’s  full, or after about a year, it can be safely thrown away in your common trash. The contents are  neutralized, helping protect your home, your water, and your loved ones. If your community  doesn’t have access yet, talk with your tribal leaders or reach out to us directly. 

Final Step: Don’t Do It Alone 

This journey can be emotional and overwhelming, but you’re not in it alone. 

Rx Destroyer was created by a Native founder from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, built on the  values many of us were raised with: protect your family, care for the land, and plan for the next  seven generations. 

Whether you need help finding a trusted pharmacist, understanding safe disposal, or locating  resources for your community—we’re here to walk alongside you. From one Native household  to another, we’re here to help however we can. 

Contact us here if you’re ready. We’re proud to stand with you.