Spring 2019

Reduce your risk of unused medications on April 27

Prescription medications play an important part in treating health conditions and diseases. But when they are no longer needed or expired, not disposing them can create a wide range of risks to your health and the environment. It also puts others at risk through accidental use by young children or intentional misuse by teens.

Today, the United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. In recent years, the following statistics show the magnitude of the problem:

• 197 overdose deaths occur each day, of which 134 are opium-related
• 191 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed in 2017
• 9.9 million pounds of medications have been collected in take-back days
• 61% of prescribed medicines are not consumed as prescribed

To help with the safe, convenient and responsible disposal of unused prescription medications, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement agencies sponsor community medicine take-back programs.

This year, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various locations schedule times to encourage anyone to bring their unused or expired prescriptions to reduce the potential for abuse of medications.

If you have any unused prescription medications sitting around your house, visit the DEA’s website to find a participating collection site near you to return your unneeded medicines.