The Decatur Police Department will be participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10am-2pm. Officers will be in front of the police department, 420 West Trinity Place, so you can easily drive up and drop off.
Drug Take Back programs give community members the opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches.)
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to theft, 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 April 30th Take-Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion Website.
