On Saturday October 23rd, the Indiana State Police will once again partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for their 21st nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Collection sites will be set up nationwide. All sites will accept expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medications. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
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 both potential safety and health hazards.
Locally Marshall County residents will be able to drop off used and unwanted drugs at the Plymouth Walgreens at 2014 North Michigan Street in Plymouth with the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. The Bremen Police Department will be collection at Beacon Community Hospital at 1020 High Road in Bremen from 10 till 2.
The Drug Take Back events are the safe, popular and responsible way for the public to legally and safely dispose of prescription drugs with no questions asked.
