Join Us for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 27th National Drug Take Back Day!

By Shannon Sexton, Program Coordinator

Get ready for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 27th National Drug Take Back Day on October 26! This important event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bloomington Fire Department, where we’re teaming up with the Maryland State Police to offer a convenient and secure way to dispose of your expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications.

Last fiscal year, Garrett County residents contributed 201.5 lbs of prescription medication to the impressive 253,792 lbs that Maryland residents have collected since the initiative began. With over 18.5 million pounds of medication collected nationwide since the initiative began, the DEA’s Take Back Day has made a significant impact in addressing prescription drug abuse and safety. 

If you can’t make it to the Bloomington Fire Department on October 26, don’t worry! Garrett County offers three permanent drug disposal locations for your convenience: the Garrett County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police Barrack, and Oakland Town Hall. These drop boxes are available year-round to ensure safe disposal of medications at any time.

“If you don’t have access to a permanent disposal location—there’s an easy solution,” said Shannon Sexton, Program Coordinator in Health Education & Outreach at the Garrett County Health Department. “The Health Department offers free Deterra pouches for safe disposal of leftover medications at home. If you don’t have a pouch, you can safely dispose of medications by mixing them with wet kitty litter or wet coffee grounds in a sealed bag before placing it in your household trash.”

Medicines that sit unused in home cabinets pose a risk of diversion, misuse, and accidental overdoses. Proper disposal is essential to protect public health and prevent these dangers. Traditional disposal methods, such as flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can be harmful to the environment and public safety.

For more information about the DEA’s National Take Back Day or drug disposal options, visit the DEA Diversion website or contact Shannon Sexton at the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and drug-free!

Preguntas? Llámenos al 301-334-7730 para servicios de traducción. Accessibility assistance available at 301-334-7730.