Last Chance: Drug Take Back Day Saturday

From Prince William County Police Department: 

You may be aware that you should not throw them in the trash, flush them down the toilet, dump them down the sink or the garbage disposal, or leave them sitting in a cabinet or medicine chest. So what do you do with them?

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, the Prince William County Police Department will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide you with a safe and legal way to dispose of these unwanted items. Simply bring your prescription drugs to the collection sites at ,  and Heathcote Health Center in Haymarket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The City of Manassas Police Department will join the effort at Prince William Hospital.

Last October, and other medicines were collected in Prince William County during the DEA’s fall “Take-Back” initiative. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative seeks to prevent pill abuse and theft.

According to the DEA, rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, 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.

During this initiative, prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications (i.e. tablets and capsules) will be accepted. Intravenous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine will also not be accepted during National Take-Back Day.

For more information on this program, including updates on the Police Department collection sites, visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. You can enter your ZIP code to find the collection site nearest you.

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