Pharmacy to host drug take-back event – Medical Waste 360

HADDAM — Haddam resident state troopers, in conjunction with Healthy Communities, Healthy Kids Coalition, a program of H-K Youth & Family Services, will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs Saturday at the Higganum Pharmacy, 23 Killingworth Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is the 14th such event over the last seven years intended to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs, according to a press releases.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches, according to the release. The service is free and anonymous and no questions will be asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners, the release says. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds — more than 4,050 tons — of pills, according to the agency.

According to the release, 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 United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs, DEA officials say.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. 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 release says.

For information, go to the DEA Diversion website at deadiversion.usdoj.gov.