As part of Greenwich Police Dept and Drug Enforcement Agency efforts for “National Drug Take Back Day,” about 150 pounds of medications were received on Saturday from citizens by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
All the expired and used medications will now be safely destroyed.
For anyone who missed the event, Greenwich Police make available a 24/7 drop box in the lobby of their headquarters at1 Bruce Place. Citizens can drop off unwanted prescriptions in the green drop box at their convenience. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Saturday’s drug take back represented the 11th opportunity in six years Greenwich Police have offered citizens, with the goal of preventing pill abuse and theft.
Across the country, the Drug Take Back Day has significant results. Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 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 US 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.
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. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.