(Indianapolis, IN) – Indiana State Police says this Saturday (April 25), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring its nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative, which aims to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.
The ISP Versailles Post will serve as one of those drop off points on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This program is for liquid and pill medications.
Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken.
New or used needles will not be accepted for disposal.
This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
Authorities say 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—pose both potential safety and health hazards.
