National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day 2013
On October 26th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
What is it, you ask? Good question. It is an opportunity to properly rid your home of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted medications. Flushing drugs down the potty is an absolute no-no. While narcotic prescriptions, such as hydrocodone, oxydodone, and morphine, are the main focus of the take-back, you can drop off other prescription drugs as well. The only thing that is not accepted is syringes.
ALL you have to do is take your unused, expired and unwanted medications to a designated location (see the website below) and drop them off. That’s IT!
Here’s a little motivation to make the effort and do it: studies show that the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs obtain them from family and friends for free, including from the home medicine cabinet. Yep. So sad, right?!?
Many citizens simply do not know how to properly dispose of their unused or expired medicine, often flushing it down the toilet or throwing it away. These methods can pose both safety and environmental hazards.
There are many Silver Linings to proper disposal of unused medications:
- Helps prevent accidental overdose, abuse and theft of prescription drugs
- Helps keep rivers and streams free from potentially hazardous elements
- Teaches children that protecting the environment is a priority & how to properly dispose of medications
- It is completely FREE and ANONYMOUS! Just sayin’…
The Nurse in me is saying: Please! Please! Please Participate!
To find a location near you, click on this link: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/NTBI-PUB.pub;jsessionid=CE290A6124205ED6949B464476CD2D67?_flowExecutionKey=_c7503F8C6-E769-4ABF-1500-0647FB970C7C_k0B46268F-315E-F7B7-3050-DD4308DD68D0
Good information & good advice! Dispose of unused and unwanted drugs in an environmentally safe way. I didn't know their was a national day to do this. But I think many of your drugstores will also dispose of them for you any day you bring them in. Am I correct on this??
Hi Carolee,
Many drugstores do, but not all. This particular "take back" day is overseen by the FDA and focuses on environmental safety. Thanks!