If you’re housing unused medications, then take note: Saturday, October 22, 2016, is Drug Take Back Day when you can hand in any unused drugs you may have with no questions asked. It is an initiative run by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) in order to reduce the problems associated with unused medications. If not disposed properly, unused medications can pose a serious health risk to public safety.
On Saturday October 22, over 4,000 law enforcement agencies and community organizations will allow patrons to bring their unused medications to their facility for proper disposal. Collection will run from 10 am to 2 pm local time.
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If you have some unused medications and want to find a drop-off site near you, you can call the toll-free number at 1-800-882-9539, or visit www.dea.gov and click the link “Got Drugs?”
The program only accepts pills and other solid medications. Liquids or needles will not be accepted.
A 2015 report found that 6.4 million Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescription drugs, and overdosing is becoming a more common cause of death than car accidents. Many prescription drug abusers report getting the medications from friends or family in their medicine cabinet.
Last year’s event collected 447 tons of unused drugs.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
