Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
Delaware – On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Delaware State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 13th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 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.
The locations for planned disposal monitored by the Delaware State Police will be at the following (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches):
New Castle County
- Delaware State Police Troop 2, 100 LaGrange Avenue, Newark, DE 19702
- Christiana Care, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713
Kent County
- Delaware State Police Troop 3, 3759 South State Street, Camden, DE 19934
Sussex County
- Delaware State Police Troop 4, 23652 Shortly Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
- Delaware State Police Troop 7, 18006 Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE 19958
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 29 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.
Released: 042517 0920
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