On Saturday, October 22nd, the Dover Police Department will once again join the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for a Drug Take Back event. People with unused and expired medications can turn in their medication at the Dover Police Department from 10am-2pm on Saturday, October 22nd. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Sharps and syringes will not be accepted at the collection locations due to potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.
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.
The public can visit http://www.dea.gov or call 1-800-882-9539 to find other collection sites and obtain more information about the program.
The public is also reminded that the Dover Police Department offers a drug take box that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in the main lobby of the department.
