Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 22, 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.

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

The 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.

Organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), this is the 12th National Take Back Day in six years. Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.

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.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or call Sadie Liller at the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

For Immediate Release:

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