April 28, 2016

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, 4/30

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The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will be holding its 11th National Take-Back Initiative tomorrow, Saturday, April 30th, from 10am to 2pm, nationwide.

The DEA is again calling on Americans to empty their medicine cabinets of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription medication and bring them to collection sites for proper disposal. This includes pet medication as well.

Collection Site for Bristol:

BRISTOL POLICE DEPARTMENT
131 North Main Street – Bristol CT, 06010

Leaving unused or unwanted medications in the house can lead to unhealthy or illicit use. Reports indicate that 20% of teens intentionally misuse someone else’s prescription drugs to get high and many obtain the drugs from raiding the medicine cabinets of friends and relatives. In other cases children, babies and pets have gotten into medications that that have caused long-term health problems and even death.

Additionally, improper disposal of pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs can hurt our environment and health. Some drugs cannot be safely flushed or poured down drains because wastewater facilities are not designed to remove them. In some cases these drugs can find their way into our lakes, rivers and streams and into drinking water.

Anyone with unwanted or expired medications can bring them to a collection site for proper disposal. Needles and syringes will not be accepted.

For more information on the initiative, visit:
www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

As always, please feel free to contact me on this or any legislative issue at 800-842-1423 or email cara.pavalock@housegop.ct.gov