The Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 17th opportunity in 9 years to prevent pill abuse and drug theft by removing potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Residents can bring pills for disposal 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 to the drop boxes at the Sheriff’s Office at 2900 University Parkway in Lawrenceville; the Snellville Police Department at 2315 Wisteria Drive SW, in Snellville; or any of the Public Controlled Substance disposal locations.
The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
According to the DEA, last fall Americans turned in 460 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11 million pounds (more than 5,500 tons) of pills.
Unused prescription drugs can result in accidental poisonings and overdoses. The vast majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. This opportunity to remove unneeded medications will also help prevent flushing drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both of which pose potential safety and health hazards.
Information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event: www.DEATakeBack.com. For the nearest drop box location: www.stoprxabuseinga.org/prescription-drug-disposal/.
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