October 22, 2018

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: Saturday, 10/27

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On Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public its 16th opportunity in eight years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Held on the last Saturday of April and October of every year, this national event addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue.

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.

DEA Collection Sites closest to our area include:

THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
158 Main St. – Thomaston, CT

HARWINTON RESIDENT TROOPERS OFFICE
100 Bentley Dr. – Harwinton, CT

TROOP L RESIDENT TROOPERS OFFICE
452 Bantam Rd. – Litchfield, CT

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

In April, Americans turned in 474.5 tons (over 949,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at over 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,600 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 9.9 million pounds — nearly 5,000 tons of pills, with Connecticut accounting for over 94,000 pounds.This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 27 Take Back Initiative, visit: www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.