Newark Police to Participate in the 17th National Take Back Initiative – Saturday 4/27
On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Newark Police will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative. Between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, members of the public may surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. The event will occur in the Newark Police Department lobby located at 220 South Main Street, Newark.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. This one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.
According to the DEA:
- Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse.
- Pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision.
- The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America.
- The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends —and the home medicine cabinet.
- Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. Proper disposal of unused drugs saves lives and protects the environment.
The program is anonymous and members of the public surrendering substances will not be asked for their name. During the event, controlled, non-controlled, and over the counter medications will be collected. In addition, liquid products and creams in their containers will also be accepted. Sharps and syringes will NOT be accepted due to the potential hazards posed by blood-borne pathogens.
For further information, visit DEATakeBack.com.
