Time to Get Rid of those Expired Bottles of Medicine

Matt Boster

Viewed: 3005

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Sep 25 2014 9:34 AM

On September 27, 2014 from 10 am until 2 pm. You can bring all of your expired or unused medication to the front parking-lot of the Dothan Police Department, located at 210 North Saint Andrews Street and have them safely disposed of.

This is an on-going effort to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The DEA, as well as state and local law enforcement, collaborate to offer the initiative. Americans have turned in tons of prescription drugs at over several thousand sites.

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, pose potential safety and health hazards. 

Statistics about prescription drug abuse include:

• More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs

• Prescription medicines are the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13                   year olds

• More accidental deaths occur from overdoses, fueled by prescription drugs, than from car crashes

For more information, visit www.dea.gov or call 800-882-9539 for a collection site near you. Let's help keep drugs of ALL kinds off the street!

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