National Drug Take Back Day Scheduled for April 29th

Saturday, April 29, is National Drug Take Back Day, a time when everyone is reminded to help prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.

“Garrett County is fortunate to have three permanent locations for drug disposal that are easily accessible,” said Sadie Liller, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Coordinator at the Garett County Health Department. “Our take back boxes are located in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police Barrack, and Oakland Town Hall, so it’s easy to dispose of medications whenever they are no longer needed.”

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.

The local drop boxes are provided by Garrett County Drug Free Communities Coalition to prevent prescription and opioid abuse in cooperation with the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, the Behavioral Health Administration, and SAMSHA. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29th Take Back Day call Sadie Liller at the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

For Immediate Release:  April 12, 2017

Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7689