Crime & Safety
National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
This will be the third time the Drug Enforcement Agency has sponsored a day to safely hand over unused prescription drugs.
On Saturday, the Drug Enforcement Agency is having its third ever prescription drug take back day. The DEA sponsors the event to allow people to safely hand over unwanted and unused prescription drugs.
The DEA reports on its website, that more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 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 from the home medicine cabinet.
During the past two drug take back days, on September 25, 2010 and April 25, 2011, nearly 4,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation collected more than 309 tons of pills, according to the DEA.
Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hyattsville residents can drop their unwanted or unused drugs at the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you are unable to make it to the local police station, then the Food and Drug Administration has created a guide on their website of how to dispose of prescription drugs properly - "How to Dispose of Unused Medicines"