Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

The Loganville Police Department is taking part in the Drug Enforcement Administration's national Drug Take Back Day this Saturday (Oct. 26). 

Bring any unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Kroger, located at 4753 Atlanta Highway in Loganville, so that they can be safely disposed. 

The purpose of this free and anonymous service is to prevent pill abuse and theft. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible of diversion, misuse and abuse.

Rates of prescription drug abuse, accidental poisonings and overdoses in the U.S. are alarmingly high, according to a news release. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Additionally, the usual methods of throwing away drugs--flushing them down the toiler or throwing them in the trash--pose potential safety and health hazards. 

Last April on the previous Drug Take Back Day, American turned in 371 tons of prescription drugs to more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and local law enforcement agencies. In all six previous Take Back events, more than 2.8 million pounds, or 1,400 tons, of pills were turned over, according to a news release.