Prescription Drug Give Back Day

For a third time, the Drug Enforcement Administration is making an attempt to help combat the problem of prescription drugs with a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This initiative is an attempt to address the growing public safety and public health issue of people abusing prescription drugs.

According to a 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration natural survey, more than 7 million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. Also, about 2,500 teens a day use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that most of the abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

In an effort to address this problem, the DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, initiated the National Prescription Drug Take Back Days. The first two were Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011.

The purpose of the National Take Back Days was to provide a venue for people who wanted to get rid of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. According to a press release from the DEA, nearly, 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in the first two events, resulting in the collection of more than 309 tons of unused pills.

Another Take Back day is planned to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. People will have the opportunity during those hours to safely dispose of accumulated, unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

The following are collection points provided by local law enforcement agencies.

Gwinnett County

• City of Suwanee Police Department, 373 Buford Highway, Suwanee
• Lawrenceville Police Department, 300 Jackson Street, Lawrenceville
• Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department, 2900 University Parkway, Lawrenceville