News Releases

Mobile Police Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs

Apr 22nd, 2014

On Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Mobile Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The public is invited to bring medications for disposal to Mobile Police Headquarters at 2460 Government Street or Winn-Dixie at 1550 Government Street. The service is free and anonymous - no questions asked.

According to the DEA, last September, citizens turned in 324 tons of expired and unwanted medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,683 take-back sites available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U. S. territories. This is the second-largest collection of medications in seven Take-Back Days. When the results of the seven events to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed over 3.4 million pounds of medication from circulation.

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. In addition, Americans are now advised 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.

For more information about the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, please contact Mobile Police Community Services at (251) 208-1938 or visit www.NationalTakeBackDay.com.

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Ashley H. Rains
Public Information Office
Office: 208-1918