Preventing pills from falling into the wrong hands
A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinets according to studies. That’s why officials encourage as many people to take part in Saturday’s National Drug Take Back Day as possible.
National Drug Take Back Day started in 2010 and since then has been held twice a year. Although the first two years of the event were slow in Milford, De. officials say the event has grown exponentially.
The purpose of the event is two-fold authorities say,on one hand it helps the environment to dispose of these drugs properly, but more importantly it prevents the wrong people from getting a hold of them.
“It keeps these drugs from getting in the wrong hands, which is you know the ultimate goal. Obviously part of it is environmental, part of it is making sure children and people that aren’t in need end up with these (drugs),” said Cpl. Robert Masten of the Milford Police Department.
Most people who end up disposing of their prescription drugs at home flush them down the toilet authorities say. However, those pills can actually contaminate the water and need to be disposed of properly.
Matsen told 47 ABC the Milford Police department is one of the busiest drop off locations in Delaware. Matsen added that last year they received over 200 pounds of prescription drugs.
“Each year the programs grown, us along with the (Drug Enforcement Agency) and other police departments do a public relations push to get the word out,” Matsen said.
The drop off is anonymous, meaning those who come in don’t have to identify themselves. 47 ABC spoke with a few people who say they believe the event is good for the community.
“We probably all have in our medicine cabinets things that are expired and I know we’re not supposed to dispose of them in the trash, so I think it’s a good option to bring things to safe place,” said Milford resident Pat Fisher.
Nationally since the programs implementation in 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has taken in over 4.8 million pounds of prescription pills authorities say.
Last September alone DEA reports show that Americans turned in 309 tons, equaling more than 617,000 pounds of pills.
