October 21, 2016

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Tomorrow, 10/22

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On Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. 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 SITES FOR OUR GREATER AREA INCLUDE:

CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE – TROOP I
631 Amity Road – Bethany, CT

HAMDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
2900 Dixwell Avenue – Hamden, CT

Also, if you are unable to make it to one of these locations tomorrow during the the national event, Cheshire Police Department, located at 500 Highland Avenue in Cheshire, is a participant in the Drop Box Disposal Program, and has a permanent drop box for unwanted or unused prescription medication located in the lobby.

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

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous Take-Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds — about 3,200 tons of pills.

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 — pose potential safety, environmental, and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Initiative, visit www.dea.gov.