The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was initiated on Sept. 24, 2010 by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It encouraged American citizens to turn in unused or expired prescribed medication for proper disposal. In order to maintain combat readiness, it is imperative that Department of Defense military personnel, civilians, and their families remain drug-free.
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet can prevent poisonings, abuse, misuse, and protect the environment. Older children and teens may abuse these products or experiment with them for non-medical purposes. Often, when people choose to get rid of their medications, they may flush them down the toilet, which can lead to contamination of the water supply.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs.
Fort Irwin Army Substance Abuse Program is partnering with the DEA and the Directorate of Emergency Services to hold National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Wednesday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Army Field parking lot.
Officials will accept controlled, non-controlled, and over-the-counter substances. Liquids should be in consumer containers. Liquid products such as cough syrup should be sealed in the original container.
Intravenous solutions and injectables will not be accepted. Syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens. Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamines are not part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. If individuals attempt to surrender an illicit controlled substance, law enforcement personnel will handle such material as abandoned property.
All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. This program is free and anonymous. No questions will be asked and no ID will be requested. For more information, visit the ASAP office in Bldg. 573 on the corner of Third Street and South Loop Avenue or call 380-4153.
