On April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Port Washington Police and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 15th opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring pills for disposal to Port Washington Police Headquarters at 500 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington.
The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
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.
Police Chief James Salerno said “residents who cannot attend the Drug Take Back Day can drop off prescription pills or patches 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Police Headquarters. No questions will be asked. Liquids, needles, or sharps will not be accepted.”
