The National Prescription Take-Back Day was initiated on September 24, 2010 by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
The campaign encourages American citizens to turn in unused or expired prescribed medication for proper disposal. It gives the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
In order to maintain combat readiness, it is imperative that Department of Defense military personnel, civilians, and their families remain drug free. Fort Irwin’s Army Substance Abuse Program is partnering with DEA, and Directorate of Emergency Services to hold National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Wednesday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Irwin Main exchange entrance and the Dr. Mary E. Walker Center.
We will accept controlled, non-controlled, over the counter substances, all solid dosage, pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers. We also accept liquid products such as cough syrup, which should remain sealed in its original container.
We will not accept intravenous solutions and syringes 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 an individual attempts to surrender an illicit controlled substance, law enforcement personnel should handle such material as abandoned property.
All participants must retain possession of their own medication during the surrender process. Law enforcement will not handle the medications at any time. This program is free and anonymous. All efforts will be made to protect the anonymity of individuals disposing of medications. There will be no questions, and no requests for identification will be made.
If there are any questions or concerns, contact ASAP in building 452 on the corner of 3rd and G Streets. The phone number is 380-4153.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet aims to prevent poisonings, prevent abuse, prevent misuse, and protect the environment. Poisonings, abuse, and misuse often occur when people store old medications in their homes. The presence of these items makes them accessible to young children who may be poisoned by them. Older children and teens may abuse these products or experiment with them for non-medical reasons. Adults and the elderly may save medications, such as antibiotics, for use at a later date. This is called misuse, and can lead to antibiotic resistance as well as a delay in treatment of a condition that may be harmful. Often, when people choose to get rid of their medications, they may flush them down the toilet which can lead to contamination of our water supply. Never flush your medications down the toilet.