Day 113 – I was planning on doing a little more research on the topic of proper disposal of prescription drugs. However, I found out about this take back program, hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and wanted to make sure everyone was aware that it was happening tomorrow, Saturday, April 24th. I will write a future post that gives more options.
This take back program will prevent possible overdoses and drug addiction by preventing them from getting into the hands of family or friends.
“According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.” – Take Back Day
Last year the program collected 985,392 lbs. (492.7 Tons) of prescription drugs.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.
Not only will the take back program help keep potentially harmful drugs out of the hands of the most vulnerable, but it will also help the environment. By keeping drugs out of our waterways, we can prevent these medicines from entering our drinking water and soil. Medicines that could potentially have a negative effect on wildlife, crops and our own health.
To find your closest location, check out the Collection Site Locator. All you have to do is put in your zip code, county, city, and state.
The closest locations to my home includes:
- NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE PRENTICE WOMEN’S HOSPITAL
- SKOKIE POLICE DEPARTMENT
- BERWYN POLICE DEPARTMENT
- MAYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
- NORTH RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT
- LAGRANGE PARK POLICE
- DES PLAINES POLICE DEPARTMENT
After you are finished dropping off your prescription drugs, consider donating those empty pill bottles to Mathew 25: Ministries. They accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Their pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.
Tomorrow, a sock take back program you should know about.
365 Ways to Save the Planet 