National Drug Take Back event set for Oct. 28 at Lewes Ferry Terminal
The Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department will join with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to participate in the 14th National Take-Back Initiative Saturday, Oct. 28. The DRBA and DEA, working with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, will be marking National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which focuses on removing potentially dangerous drugs from the nation's homes. It provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceuticals and other medications to law enforcement officers for proper disposal. The Lewes Ferry Terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, will serve as a collection site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 28.
DRBA Police Administrator Col. Richard Arroyo said the DEA initiative addresses a vital public safety and health issue. "Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are disturbingly high," Arroyo said. "Home medicine cabinets that contain unused prescription medicines are particularly susceptible to misuse or abuse. Working with the DEA, we're focused on the proper, safe disposal of all types of controlled, non-controlled, and over-the-counter medications."
Arroyo added that the program is strictly confidential. "No questions or requests for identification will be made by law enforcement personnel present," he said. "In fact, participants will be asked to remove any personal information from bottles or packages."
The DEA's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides for numerous collection sites throughout the area, which accept pills, liquids and creams, but not syringes. More than 500 pounds of medication have been collected at DRBA sites since it began participation in the NTBI in September 2010.
According to a recent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 6.5 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. Figures from the Partnership for a Drug Free America indicate approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs daily to get high for the first time. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. Americans are also advised that typical methods for disposing of unused medicines - flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash - pose potential safety and health hazards.
The public can find the nearest collection sites in their community by going to www.dea.gov and clicking on the drug disposal icon and entering their ZIP code for a list of sites.
