National Drug Take-Back Day Drop-Off Location in Bethany

State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus is encouraging area residents to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual prescription drug take-back campaign to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medications.

National Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, April 26th, and there’s a collection site Bethany at State Police Troop I, 631 Amity Road

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 and pets have gotten into medications that have caused long-term health problems and death.

The improper disposal of pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs has also been reported to negatively impact the environment and public health, as some drugs cannot be safely flushed or poured down drains because wastewater facilities are not designed to remove them. In some cases drugs can find their way into lakes, rivers and streams and into drinking water.

Please note that only prescription medications will be accepted at the collections – needles and syringes will not be accepted.

For more information on the national drug take-back program, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.