PWPD: Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

Port Washington residents once again will have the chance to responsibly rid their homes of unwanted prescriptions, thanks to a joint effort by the Port Washington Police District and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the public can bring medications for disposal to Port Washington Police District Headquarters at 500 Port Washington Boulevard. This event is the sixth sixth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft, enabling residents to safely dispose of  potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs   The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. 

Officials say that last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at more than 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners.  In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in more than 2 million pounds – more than 1,00 tons – of pills.  

According to a press release issued by the Port Washington Police, that this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.