Saturday morning prescription drugs will be the topic for many across the country.
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“Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic nationally, and while we’ve taken strong steps to combat this abuse in New Mexico, we must keep up the fight”, Udall said.
For more information about the proper way to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications, contact the poison experts at the North Texas Poison Center, 1.800.222.1222.
The DEA said from 2010-2014, when earlier versions of the take-back program ran, 4,823,251 pounds, or 2,411 tons of drugs were collected. The process is free and anonymous.
Prescription drug abuse continues to be a growing problem, locally and nationally, despite legislative efforts to rein it in.
He also said 16,000 Americans were killed by overdoses from prescription pain medications in 2013, and most young people gain access to prescription drugs not from “some dark alley”, but from a home medicine cabinet.
Police across both states are participating in the Prescription Drug Take Back program.
Pharmacists who are members of the Garden State Pharmacy Owners have made a special commitment to collect and properly dispose of these medications, not only on the National Prescription Drug Take-Back days, but throughout the year.
There are also collection sites at the Edwardsville, Roxana, East Alton, Maryville, Alton and Highland Police Departments. We cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.
Other typical methods for disposing of unused medicines such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards, according to the release.
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The drugs can be dropped off at numerous sites throughout the metro area. You can search for the location closest to you on the DEA’s website here. The spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy Dale Woolery says it’s another opportunity to get rid of unwanted drugs.
