On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 14th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.
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 — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Indiana has one of the highest rates of drug prescriptions with 109 prescriptions for every 100 Hoosier residents according to the CDC. The state also ranks high in prescription drug abuse, especially among juveniles abusing prescription drugs. Help rid the streets of prescription drugs by disposing of them properly from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Oct. 28 at Riverview Health in Noblesville (east parking lot), CVS in Cicero and Farmers Bank in Sheridan.
Drop off locations accept pills, capsules, patches, ointments, over-the-counter medications, samples and pet medications. The following cannot be collected: liquids, needles/sharps, aerosols, inhalers, or hazardous materials. Liquids should be mixed with cat litter, oil dry, or coffee grounds before being packaged in plastic and disposed in the garbage. Needles and sharps should be taken to Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste, 1717 Pleasant St., Noblesville.
Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds — more than 4,050 tons — of pills.