Posted on April 26, 2024 View all news
This Saturday, April 27, law enforcement agencies will be setting up thousands of drug collection sites nationwide. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the public can turn in any unwanted, unused, or excess prescription drugs for safe disposal, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. This effort is part of the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which aims to reduce abuse by preventing dangerous and addictive medications from being misused.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day has proven to be a successful strategy that saves lives. Last October, 4383 agencies set up 4675 drop-off sites and collected nearly 600,000 pounds of prescription drugs in just one day. Since the program started, people have turned in almost 18 MILLION pounds of prescription drugs!
Taking that much medication out of medicine cabinets and off the streets has saved countless lives.
Why is National Drug Take Back Day So Important?
Drug Take Back Day, which happens twice a year in April and October, aims to reduce the misuse of prescription drugs, accidental ingestion by children, and overdoses. This event allows people to get rid of unneeded medications safely and responsibly.
These are huge concerns:
- In 2021, over 14 million people self-reported misusing a prescription medication.
- Thanks to new prescribing guidelines, prevention campaigns, and childproof packaging, accidental underage opioid exposures have decreased in recent years, but the number of marijuana poisonings involving children is skyrocketing.
- Particularly worrisome are THC-infused marijuana edibles that are brightly colored and resemble popular candies and snacks.
Because marijuana is available medically, recreationally, or classified as illegal, depending on the individual state, the misuse of medical cannabis is much harder to track. But what is known is that as legalized cannabis has spread, underage use has exploded by 245%.
Finding a Take Back Site
It is important to note that while the collection sites will accept any prescription medications, they WILL NOT accept street drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, or cocaine.
To find a collection site near you, CLICK HERE.
Every Brain Matters is a trusted educational resource for families and communities wanting to stay safe from the harms of industrialized marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. Join us!
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