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Local police, agencies to accept unwanted prescription drugs

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‘Take Back Day’ Oct. 28

On Oct. 28, from 10 am to 2 pm, the Crownpoint Navajo Police, Gallup Police, McKinley County Sherriff’s, New Mexico State Police, Ramah-Navajo Police, Zuni Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 14th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal to Crownpoint Police Department at Highway 371; Gallup Police Department at 452 Boardman Dr.; New Mexico State Police Department at 4200 E. Historic Highway 66; Pinehill Health Center at Indian Service Rte 140; Rio West Mall at 1300 W. Maloney Ave.; Thoreau Police Substation at 109 Highway 371; or Zuni Tribal Building at 1203B State Highway 53.

The DEA can accept pills, liquids, and patches. (The DEA cannot accept needles or sharps.)  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.

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.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 28 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.