Wilmington Police Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs This Weekend

Do you have old prescription medication lying around the house? The Wilmington Police Department is participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Residents can drop off unused prescription medications at the Wilmington Police station lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

If you can’t make it on Saturday, the Wilmington Police Department has a medication disposal box in our lobby which is available 24/7.