DEA’s Take Back Program returns to Deal
National campaign has collected over 5.5 million pounds of pills since 2010
The Deal Police Department is once again joining forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the police department will collect potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
According to a news release, the initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue – the languishment of medicines in home cabinets that can become susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
“The numbers are shocking—approximately 46,000 Americans die each year from drug-related deaths,” Acting DEA Adminstrator Chuck Rosenberg said in a written statement at the time of the September national collection. “More than half of those are from heroin and prescription opioids. With four out of five new heroin users starting with prescription medications, I know our take-back program makes a real difference.”
This is the 11th time since the program began in September 2010 that the department will participate in the prevention program.
Last September, 350 tons [over 702,000 pounds] of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners were collected. In total, the DEA’s Take Back campaign has collected over 5.5 million pounds [than 2,750 tons] of pills.
Officials say not only are the rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are at an alarmingly high, but so are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
According to the Deal new release, studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
But throwing one’s unused medication in the trash or flushing them down the toilet is considered a potential health and safety hazard.
The collection [of pills and medical patches only] will be held at the Deal Firehouse, located at 110 Brighton Ave, Deal, NJ. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked, officials said.
Collections will also be held at Asbury Park Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, and Ocean Township Police Department. 399 Monmouth Road.
For more information please follow the DEA website.
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