Dispose of Unused & Unwanted Prescription Drugs

The Maryland State Police, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, are asking citizens to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this coming Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. statewide.

State police barracks throughout Maryland will be participating in the National Drug Take Back Day. Each barrack will act as a collection station, providing citizens an opportunity to dispose of all unwanted and unused prescription drugs. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the general public about the potential dangers of possessing unused medications.

Second only to marijuana, non-medical prescription drugs are the most commonly used drugs in the country. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs are finding an unlimited supply in their family’s medicine cabinet.

During the previous initiative in October 2013, Maryland State Police collected over 1,100 pounds of prescription drugs locally. Nationally, 648,000 pounds (324 tons) of prescription medications were collected from members of the public. When added to the collections from the past five Take-Back events, more than 3.4 million pounds (1,700 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation.

Twenty-one barracks, five MVA locations and the YMCA in Harford County will have collection boxes available. Contact your local state police barrack to find out where the closest National Prescription Drug Take Back collection box is in your area.

Read “Prescription Drug Take Back Day Set for April 26” article for a list of collection sites in Montgomery County.

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